The type of performances from Arsenal will take away from their Premier League title triumph if they win the league this season.That is the view of Alan Pardew after the Gunners extended their lead over Manchester City to seven points.Arsenal should have an asterisk next to their Premier League title if they go on to win it, says PardewGettyMikel Arteta’s side clinched a 1-0 win at Brighton on Wednesday night thanks to Bukayo Saka’s first half strike.Meanwhile, title rivals City were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Nottingham Forest despite twice taking the lead at the Etihad Stadium.The results mean the title race is firmly back in Arsenal’s hands despite City’s game in hand.Even if Pep Guardiola’s side win that match as well as their clash with Arsenal on April 19, they would still be a point adrift unless the Gunners drop further points.However, Pardew believes there must still be an asterisk on any potential Premier League title for the north London club.The former Newcastle United manager praised their ‘professional’ display against Brighton but believes there is ‘nothing beautiful about them’.‘Asterisk next to their name’: PardewPardew assessed Arsenal’s title credentials live on commentary for talkSPORT during Wednesday’s action, explaining: “When I’m looking at them as my football manager’s head on, they’re so professional.“They do every bit of gamesmanship to get it over the line. It’s only a goal, isn’t it?“But really and truly, Brighton, although they have definitely upped the tempo and looked better second half, they’ve not really hurt Arsenal.“And at the moment, it looks like Arsenal are going to see it through.Pardew claimed there is ‘nothing beautiful’ about Arsenal after their win over BrightonGetty“There’ll be an asterisk next to their name because you’ve only got to look at them really in these type of performances and say, it’s just a functional display.“It’s a professional, functional display. They’re good, they’re strong, they’re powerful. But there is nothing beautiful about them. That’s the truth.”Stats tell the storyFollowing their narrow win over the Seagulls, Arsenal have now won ten Premier League matches by a single goal this season.It is their most at this stage of a campaign since the 2011/12 season, where they had the same amount.Meanwhile, the only time they had more one-goal victories after 30 matches was during their invincible 2003/04 title win with 12.Their 14 clean sheets so far this term is also their most at this point in a league season for 20 years.Arteta may be concerned by his side’s passing and shooting stats despite their victory… or notGettyHowever, there were also less impressive takeaways from Arsenal’s latest triumph.The Gunners mustered just seven shots on goal against Brighton, with only their five against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup last month representing fewer.It was also a night to forget in the passing department for the visitors as they recorded a pass accuracy of just 70.9 per cent.The figure represents their lowest completion rate for over five years, dating back to a 5-0 thrashing against City in August 2021.Pardew’s comments come after Arsenal were once again labelled ‘Set Piece FC’ by rival fans following their win over Chelsea at the weekend.The Gunners scored twice from corners to see off their London rivals on Sunday.City’s draw with Forest has handed the initiative firmly back to Arsenal in the title raceGettyThose goals took their tally from set plays in all competitions this season to 31, with 24 coming from corners.Meanwhile, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler called out Arsenal’s time-wasting at corners ahead of their meeting.Having urged the Premier League to outline ‘clear rules’, he reiterated his point after his side’s defeat to the league leaders.Hurzeler told journalists: “I think we tried to play football and that’s what we are standing for.“And of course it’s not easy to always get into a rhythm, but still we had a lot of chances so there was enough opportunity to take a win and therefore it’s not easy to get into rhythm with an opponent who tries to only to waste time.“Definitely we can do better in the final third, but overall we try to play football and we try to find solutions.Hurzeler was once again angered by Arsenal’s time-wasting during Wednesday’s clashAFP“I think it’s difficult, but we need just more clearer rules and normally the goalkeeper should should be sent off with two yellow cards for time-wasting, but you can’t do it and therefore if you don’t have clear rules, I think it’s difficult for for the referee.“But I made my point before it and like I just mentioned we have to find a solution.“The Premier League has to find a solution because I don’t know how you see it but for me it doesn’t make fun to see these kind of games.”As for when he was asked if Arsenal will have an asterisk next to their name, he told talkSPORT: “I think everyone should judge on their own.“I don’t want to waste too much time talking about Arsenal because I made my point and therefore let’s see how how the next nine games are going.“The Premier League might intervene on what the next referee tries to do against this time-wasting and then we see what happens. But we have to focus on us.”Arsenal are aiming to win their first league title for 22 years after a series of disappointments in recent seasons.The Gunners have finished second in each of the last three seasons, with two of those seeing them miss out on the title to City.