JAKARTA - Arsenal does not care if it is said to use bad tactics to win the match. Manager Mikel Arteta does not question the criticism of Arsenal's game because the fact is that they are able to survive at the top of the English Premier League standings.
Criticism of Arsenal's strategy to secure victory resurfaced when they defeated Brighton and Hove Albion. In the duel at the Amex Stadium, Thursday, March 5, 2026 early morning WIB, Arsenal won narrowly 1-0 through Bukayo Saka's header.
After the goal that was created when the match was only nine minutes, Arsenal tried hard to maintain the advantage. Wenger's hard work did work so that Arsenal again distanced themselves from their closest competitors, Manchester City, who unexpectedly were held by Nottingham Forest 2-2 while playing at home at the Etihad. If the point gap was only two, now Arsenal has a seven-point lead.
However, Arsenal who has 67 points has completed 30 matches. Meanwhile, Man City has only 29 times so it still has the opportunity to reduce the point gap. Moreover, Arsenal still has to play away games against The Cityzens.
Although mathematically Man City can still chase Arsenal, the North London club is already more confident. After only being runner-up three seasons in a row because they were defeated by Man City twice and Liverpool in the league title race, Arsenal now has the opportunity to end the title drought in the domestic competition.
Yes, they have been waiting for 22 years because the last time they became champions in 2004 when the team was still handled by Arsene Wenger, the legendary manager. Arteta also has ambitions to repeat that success.
For the league trophy, he is not afraid to take a pragmatic tactic. The important thing is to win even though the team has to drag out time when getting a dead ball. Or crowd the opponent's goalkeeper when getting a corner kick which results in many players piling up in front of the goal.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler slammed Arsenal's tactics. According to him, the Seagulls were playing alone because Arsenal players preferred to fall to the referee to stop the game.
When they get a free kick, corner kick or throw-in, they always linger so that time keeps going. In Hurzeler's observation, goalkeeper David Raya even fell down three times so that the referee stopped the match.
"In my opinion, only one team really played football in this match. Have you ever watched a Premier League match where a goalkeeper repeatedly falls? No, "said Hurzeler as quoted by france24.
"They (Arsenal) are like making their own rules. I see them playing football when they use their own rules," he said. "I'm not a manager who wants to win in that way," Hurzeler said again.
Hurzeler judged the match to be boring because the referee had to blow the whistle a little. According to him, the audience was harmed because they paid expensive tickets to watch the match which was often stopped.
"If in a room, I ask if you enjoy that kind of game? I'm sure if there's one who raises their hand, it's because he's a big Arsenal fan," he said.
"What about the future of football matches? Do fans pay for such matches?" said Hurzeler.
Responding to Hurzeler's criticism of Arsenal's playing strategy which was considered bad, Arteta did not bother. According to him, the important thing is that Arsenal can win the match. Arteta also questioned the criticism because previously Arsenal had received similar criticism.
"It's really surprising," Arteta said in response to Hurzeler's criticism. "If you look at the previous games, you will get the same comments as that," he said, who had a fight with Hurzeler in the match.
They pointed at each other and Arteta showed his dislike of Hurzeler's actions who protested the assistant referee. Arteta also defended his players.
"I like my players. And I like the way we played in this competition. If you are in my position, of course any opponent will try to take it from you. That's normal. That's sport," he said.
Arsenal is indeed on fire. In addition to having the opportunity to win the league title, Arsenal is still in the Champions League which has never been won. Arsenal also survived in the FA Cup and advanced to the final of the English League Cup. In the peak match, they face Man City.
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