Fabian Hurzeler demands rule change as Man City suffer Arsenal title race blow

Arsenal secured a 1-0 win over Brighton on Wednesday evening, with Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler left fuming with Manchester City's Premier League title rivals

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has launched a scathing attack on Arsenal's approach during their Premier League encounter on Wednesday night. Bukayo Saka netted the decisive goal after merely nine minutes, with the Gunners holding firm and producing a strong rearguard action to secure three crucial points in their Premier League title battle with Manchester City.

Nevertheless, Hurzeler viewed it rather differently to a resilient showing from Arsenal, as he savagely criticised the methods they employed at the Amex Stadium and the time-wasting throughout.

During his post-match media briefing, Hurzeler stated: "There was only one team who tried to play football today. I ask one question. Did you see a Premier League game, a goalkeeper going down three times?

"We should focus on our performance, we cannot control these types of things. I made my point before the game."

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Regarding the opposition, he continued: "Very difficult, but we tried hard. We tried to keep the ball moving. We tried to create chances. These types of opponents you can only punish them."

City now trail Arsenal by seven points at the top of the table after dropping points against Nottingham Forest. City twice surrendered their lead in a 2-2 draw.

Upon being informed of Hurzeler's remarks before addressing journalists, Arteta merely responded: "What a surprise."

He chose not to expand further on his response. When subsequently questioned whether he was concerned by other managers' opinions, he replied: "It depends on the comment, the person and the purpose."

Hurzeler was also incensed throughout the match, with a heated exchange occurring between him and Arteta on the touchline during the opening period.

The Brighton manager repeatedly protested to fourth official Michael Salisbury about Arsenal's time-wasting when taking set-pieces and goal-kicks. He was equally angered by the decision not to award a spot-kick for a Gabriel Martinelli challenge on Mats Wieffer.

Prior to kick-off, he had already expressed his frustration regarding the duration taken for corners and throw-ins, making it evident he is far from impressed with Arsenal's approach to such situations.

"Sometimes they spend one minute to take a corner if they are leading," said Hurzeler, who suggested a new rule should be brought in. "The main topic is to make a clear rule on how much time you can waste for a corner, for a throw-in, for a free-kick.

"I think no-one recognises it, but when Arsenal have a corner and they are leading, sometimes they spend over one minute just to take a corner. Therefore, I think we just have to make clear rules. The game is changing so much.

"I have the opinion that every supporter who pays a lot of money to go to the stadiums and watch our games should see the same net-to-game time because they pay a lot of money.

"They want to see a football event and they don't want to see maybe 50 minutes the ball is in the game and 40 minutes the game is not. Therefore, that's how I see it, but I think we won't change these rules immediately."