“There was only one team who tried to play football today,” the German raged. “I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way.” But it wasn’t just after the loss that Hurzeler expressed his displeasure. When Arsenal were awarded a throw-in, the Brighton boss handed Hincapie the ball and appeared to tell him: “F***ing play football.”
Hincapie responded by placing his finger on his lips.
Arsenal had secured an early lead through Bukayo Saka and employed some cunning tactics to secure the win. Mikel Arteta’s squad are now seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with title rivals Manchester City having stumbled in their dramatic 2-2 draw at home to Nottingham Forest.
Despite Arsenal securing the points, they didn’t garner much praise for their performance. “I ask one question – do you ever see in a Premier League game the goalkeeper going down three times?” Hurzeler queried in his post-match press conference.
“In the end, of course, 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. The limit has to be set by the referees, at the moment they just do what they want.”
In response, Arteta said: “What a surprise. You just go back to the previous games and you will find a lot of comments like this always.”
“I love my players. That’s the highlight. I love my players, we love our players. I love the way we compete.”
Arsenal have faced criticism for their ‘unsightly’ tactics in matches as they attempt to end a 22-year Premier League title drought.
Sarcastically, Arteta addressed the scrutiny by saying: “I think they love our players, every time they talk about our players. They are the most loved ones in the country.”
The Gunners will now pause their league campaign, making the journey to Mansfield Town in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday. Arsenal then face Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.