Hurzeler accuses Arsenal of time-wasting after narrow defeat

• Brighton boss says Gunners “play by their own rules”
• Calls on Premier League to set clearer limits
• Arsenal move seven points clear at the top

Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hürzeler has urged the Premier League to address time wasting after accusing Arsenal of operating by their own rules during Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat at the Amex Stadium.

A deflected ninth-minute strike from Bukayo Saka secured the points for Arsenal and moved them seven clear at the top of the table. The contest was fractious, with Hürzeler and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta exchanging words on the touchline as Brighton grew frustrated at what they viewed as repeated attempts to slow the tempo.

Hürzeler had suggested before kick off that Arsenal were inventive in delaying restarts from corners. After the match, his criticism was more direct.

“There’s different kinds of winning,” he said. “If they win the Premier League, no one will ask how they win the Premier League.

“You can really feel that they do everything to win this game. In the end it is about the rules. If the Premier League, if the referee allows everything, then it is difficult.

“They make their own rules. At the moment, I have the feeling they are doing their own rules, no matter how they are playing.”

The 33 year-old also claimed referee Chris Kavanagh acknowledged at half-time the difficulty of sanctioning time–wasting more forcefully.

“Do you want to send off the goalkeeper for two yellow cards for wasting time? This will never happen. So what should he do?” Hürzeler said.

“We need clear rules because then you can protect the referee. They have to stick to some things, and the Premier League has to help them more.”

Brighton enjoyed more possession, registered more attempts and produced a higher expected goals figure, yet were unable to find an equaliser.

“I loved how we played football,” Hürzeler added. “I think there was only one team that tried to play football today, and therefore I’m proud how they did it.

“I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way. I want to develop players. I want players to keep improving, keep playing football on the pitch.

“In the end, 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. At the moment, they just can do what they want.”

He questioned whether supporters received value for money when matches were broken up by delays.

“One game we play 60 minutes natural time and then you play against Arsenal, only 50 minutes. It is 10 minutes difference. Is this what supporters are paying for?”

Arteta declined to engage in detail when asked about the comments.

“What a surprise,” he said. “You just go back to the previous games and you’ll find a lot of comments like this always.

“I love my players. That’s the highlight. I love my players and I love the way we compete.”