I love it. I used it alot in uni because it also allows for Latex.Pasting images is super simple too.

I would go with Arch and i3. Dont use archinstall. Do it the hard way and you will learn alot about linux.

I also prefer i3 with minimal visual changes. I hate gaps, the rounded corners and animations when opening/moving windows. Sure it might look pretty on a screenshot, but using it is worse than a simple i3 that gets out of the way and you don’t see it.