Hurzeler Slams Arsenal as Arteta Bites Back: 'Only One Side Tried to Play Football'

Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler has urged Premier League authorities to adopt stricter measures against time-wasting, following his side’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal. The German manager voiced his frustration after the match, implying that the visitors’ approach stifled any chance of an open contest.

Speaking to reporters, Hurzeler stopped short of naming individuals but left little doubt about his feelings, saying: “Only one side tried to play football.” The remark was interpreted as a direct critique of Arsenal’s game management, which he believes disrupted the flow of the match and ultimately denied Brighton the opportunity to impose their attacking style.

Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta, whose team secured all three points courtesy of a solitary goal, responded sharply to the suggestion that his players had employed unsporting tactics. “We prepare to win within the rules,” Arteta said. “If the referee adds time on, we play that too. We respect the game.”

The victory keeps Arsenal firmly in the hunt for European qualification, while Brighton are left to reflect on a second consecutive narrow loss at the Amex Stadium. Hurzeler, appointed this summer, insisted the result should not overshadow broader concerns about the league’s attitude toward delaying tactics. “We need stronger guidance from above,” he argued. “Players are smart; they will always test boundaries unless officials step in.”

The Premier League has previously trialled in-stadium announcements to deter time-wasting, yet Hurzeler believes enforcement remains inconsistent. “We talk about entertainment, but fans want to see action, not the ball on the ground or players going down easily,” he added.

Brighton will now turn their attention to a mid-week trip to face a relegation-threatened side, hoping to reignite the expansive brand of football that characterised their early-season form. Arsenal, meanwhile, prepare for a high-stakes derby that could define their campaign.

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