Fabian Hürzeler accuses Arsenal of bending rules after 1-0 defeat | OneFootball

Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler condemned Arsenal’s game management after their 1-0 Premier League loss on Wednesday, accusing Mikel Arteta’s side of time-wasting once ahead.

According to L'Équipe, Hürzeler renewed his complaints at full time. Bukayo Saka had put Arsenal ahead in the ninth minute of this matchweek 29 fixture, with Brighton 13th, and the head coach said Arsenal then ran the clock.

He had already warned before the game that Arsenal sometimes take more than a minute to deliver a corner when in front, and he argued his side were the only ones trying to play. He also singled out goalkeeper David Raya for spending long spells on the turf on three occasions.

Hürzeler said he would never seek to win in that way. He accepted teams slow things when leading, but insisted limits must be set by the Premier League and enforced by referees. He added that Arsenal were behaving as if they set their own rules, regardless of style.

He questioned where that approach leads, noting that effective playing time is 60 minutes in most matches but only 50 against Arsenal, and that supporters pay for those 10 minutes. He asked journalists whether they had enjoyed the match, saying only an Arsenal fan would likely say yes.

Arteta reacted drily, saying, "What a surprise." He suggested such complaints are heard after previous matches, and said he loves his players and their way of playing. Arsenal remain comfortable Premier League leaders, seven points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Source: L'Équipe