Fabian Hurzeler criticised Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal after Brighton’s 1-0 defeat at the Amex, saying “only one team tried to play football” and accusing the visitors of “making their own rules” by time-wasting.
Bukayo Saka’s early strike decided the game; it remained Arsenal’s only shot on target for 87 minutes. Home fans booed officials and the away side as Brighton pushed for an equaliser but could not convert chances.
Hurzeler’s post-match complaints included:
– Only one team tried to play football.
– Arsenal “make their own rules” during matches.
– He would never tell his team to play like that.
– Arsenal keeper David Raya went down “injured” three times with no punishment.
– The Premier League needs to find a way to punish time-wasting.
– Nobody — apart from Arsenal fans — enjoyed the game; supporters deserve better.
Hurzeler on the match and his side’s performance:
“I think statistics never lie. We conceded one shot on the goal, we created a lot of chances, we weren’t that effective. Also in the final third we could have been more clinical, more calm, we could have made better decisions… I love the effort from my boys, I loved how they played football. I think there was only one team who tried to play football today and therefore I’m proud of how they did it.”
On David Raya going down multiple times:
“I ask one question, did you see in the Premier League game a goalkeeper going down three times? No? … I think therefore the Premier League has to find the rule. I made my point before the game and I stick to it.”
On generating rhythm against Arsenal:
“Very difficult, very difficult, but we tried it, we tried it hard. We tried to keep the ball moving… these kinds of opponents you can only punish by winning against them.”
On his own managerial principles:
“There are different kinds of winning… I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way. I want my players to keep improving and keep playing football on the pitch. Every team will manage and waste time, but I think there has to be a limit and the limit has to be set by the Premier League, the limit has to be set by the referees.”
On the match-day experience:
“Everyone here in the room, did you really enjoy this football game? … Supporters are paying for this—do you get my point?”
Hurzeler on the referee:
“It’s difficult for him, so I won’t complain about the referee. Do you want to send off the goalkeeper with two yellow cards for wasting time? This will never happen… you need rules, you need limits, because that’s also what he admits to me at half-time.”
Arteta’s reaction to Hurzeler’s criticism was dismissive: “What a surprise! … I love my players. That’s the highlight. I love the way we compete.” Asked if he cares what other managers think, Arteta replied: “Care? Yeah. Depends. On the comments. And the purpose of that.”
Analysis — were Hurzeler’s complaints justified?
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright at the Amex: Hurzeler had flagged time-wasting before the game and returned to it after a fractious evening. His frustration was understandable — Arsenal disrupted the flow after taking an early lead, provoking the home crowd and the Brighton boss. But Brighton also failed to turn possession into a decisive result. They had 11 shots worth just 0.8 expected goals, and Raya did not make a save after the 63rd minute. While Hurzeler shaped the narrative post-match, his complaints are unlikely to trouble Arsenal supporters who celebrated an ugly but valuable victory.