Brighton & Hove Albion coach Fabian Hurzeler launched a scathing attack on Arsenal's time-wasting tactics by calling on the English League to intervene because the Gunners were playing by their own rules.
Bukayo Saka's goal which hit the opponent's player in the ninth minute was enough to ensure a 1-0 victory at the American Express Stadium and bring Arsenal seven points ahead at the top of the English League table.
The match was heated with Hurzeler and Mikel Arteta arguing with each other on the sidelines as Brighton grew angry at what they perceived as repeated attempts to slow down the game in both halves.
Before the match, Hurzeler stated that the Gunners were creative in terms of the length of time they needed to restart the game from a corner kick, but he went further after the match as his frustration reached new levels.
The 33-year-old coach even stated that referee Chris Kavanagh told him during the break on Thursday, March 5, 2026, that he could not give Arsenal enough punishment for the time-wasting act.
"There are all sorts of victories. If they win the Premier League, no one will ask how they won the league."
"You can really feel that they are doing everything to win the game. In the end, it's about the rules. If the Premier League, if the referee allows everything, then it's difficult."
"They (Arsenal) make their own rules. At the moment, I feel they are following their own rules, regardless of how they play. That's why I think it's hard to judge that."
"Do you want to send off a goalkeeper for two yellow cards for time wasting? It will never happen. So, what should he do? That's the problem and that's why you need rules, boundaries."
"That's what he (Kavanagh) admitted to me during the break. We were just talking about how he could reduce the wasted time. He said it wasn't even difficult for him."
"We need clear rules because that way we can protect the referees. They have to comply with certain things and the English League has to help them more (referees)," said Hurzeler.
Meanwhile, Brighton had more ball possession, more shots, and produced a higher expected goal figure, but still lost.
"I love the way we play football. I think there's only one team that tries to play football and that's why I'm proud of the way they do it."
"I would never be a manager who tries to win in that way (delaying time). I want to develop players. I want players to keep developing, keep playing football on the pitch."
"In the end, every team will manage and waste time, but I think there should be limits. Those limits must be set by the English League. Currently, they can only do what they want."
"I'm not sure if I'm going to ask everyone, do they really enjoy the football?"
"I'm sure there was probably one person who raised their hand because he's a massive Arsenal fan. Other than that, it's not possible."
"Where is it going in the future? That's my question. One game we play 60 minutes of normal time and then you play against Arsenal, only 50 minutes. The difference is only 10 minutes - is this what the fans pay for? You understand what I mean?" said Hurzeler.
Getting a harsh criticism from Hurzeler, Arteta instead chose not to respond to it.
"It's really surprising. You just have to look back at the previous games. You will find a lot of comments like this all the time."
"I love my players. That's the point. I love my players, we love our players, and I like the way we compete," Arteta said when Hurzeler's comments were conveyed to him.
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