Mikel Arteta has hit back at Fabian Hurzeler’s complaints about Arsenal’s ‘time wasting’ after Brighton’s 1-0 defeat to the Gunners on Wednesday evening.
Bukayo Saka’s goal sealed Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Brighton to place Arteta’s side seven points clear of Manchester City at the highest of the Premier League after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest.
Speaking after Brighton’s defeat, Hurzeler accused David Raya of feigning injury and criticised Arsenal for his or her kind of play.
‘I feel there was just one team who tried to play football today,’ Hurzeler said.
‘If I asked everyone on this room did they enjoy this football game, I’m sure possibly one raises his arm because he’s an enormous Arsenal fan, besides that, no probability.
‘In the long run we have now to make the bounds or the Premier League has to make the bounds. Where will this go in the long run? One game we played 60 minutes net time [ball in play], then once you play against Arsenal it’s only 50 minutes, that’s ten minutes difference. That is what the supporters are paying for, you get my point.
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‘I won’t complain concerning the referee since it’s really difficult for him, do you must send off the goalkeeper for 2 yellow cards for wasting time? This may never occur so what should he do? That’s the thing, that’s why you would like rules, limits.’
When asked about Hurzeler’s comments, Arteta replied: ‘What a surprise.’
Asked if he desired to elaborate on his response, Arteta said: ‘No. You only return to the previous games and also you’ll find loads of comments like this all the time.
‘I like my players. That’s the highlight. I like my players, we love our players and I like the way in which we compete.’
Asked if he cares what one other manager says about him, Arteta replied: ‘Care? Yeah. Depends… and the comments, and the aim of that.’
When Arteta was told that Hurzeler said that just one team tried to play football, the Arsenal manager replied: ‘Next query.’
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