Fabian Hurzeler expressed his disappointment after Brighton’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal, criticizing Mikel Arteta’s team’s playing style.
The match at Amex Stadium was decided by an early goal from Bukayo Saka.
Post-match discussions quickly shifted to Brighton’s frustration over Arsenal’s game management. Hurzeler praised his players’ performance despite the loss.
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Fabian Hurzeler criticizes Mikel Arteta’s tactics after Brighton defeat
BR Football reported Hurzeler’s candid response following Brighton’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
“I believe only one team attempted to play football today, and I am proud of my players for that,” he said.
Hurzeler noted he would never emulate Arsenal’s method of play. “I aim to develop players,” he added.
The Brighton manager observed that Arsenal managed the game by slowing down its tempo after taking the lead.
This even led to a heated exchange between Hurzeler and Arteta during the match.
For Hurzeler, his concern was not just the loss but the manner in which Arsenal maintained their advantage.
Critique of Arsenal’s time-wasting tactics grows after Brighton match
Hurzeler believes the Premier League should implement stricter rules to curb tactics that deliberately slow down games.
“I want my players to keep improving and playing football on the field. While every team manages and wastes time at some point, there should be a limit, which needs to be enforced by the Premier League,” he stated.
“The referees must set this limit. Currently, it seems there are no restrictions,” Hurzeler concluded.
He had previously expressed concerns about Arsenal’s game management, especially regarding their lengthy delays during set pieces.
During the match, frustration mounted as Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya went down for treatment several times, disrupting the flow of play, according to Brighton.
Despite having more possession and chances, Brighton failed to equalize, while Arsenal’s narrow win bolstered their position at the top of the Premier League table.