Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler accused Arsenal of excessive time-wasting following his team's 0-1 defeat to the "Gunners" in Premier League round 29. The match, played on 4/3 at Amex Stadium, saw Arsenal secure a crucial victory with an early goal from Bukayo Saka, widening their lead at the top of the table.

This result occurred while Manchester City was held to a 2-2 draw at home by Nottingham Forest, potentially marking a turning point in the title race. Arsenal now holds a 7-point advantage over Manchester City with 9 matches remaining in the season.

However, Arsenal's victory did not sit well with Brighton. Coach Hurzeler expressed his frustration to TNT Sports after the match: "Today, only one team tried to play football. There were too many time-wasting situations. Ultimately, it comes down to the rules. If the Premier League organizers and referees allow everything, then it is difficult. Arsenal sets its own rules, regardless of how they play. I will never be the type of coach who tries to win that way. I want to develop players; I want my players to continue improving and playing football on the pitch."

Coach Hurzeler (left) during the Brighton versus Arsenal match at Amex Stadium, Brighton, England, on 4/3. *Photo: Reuters*

After Saka opened the scoring in the 9th minute, Arsenal adopted a cautious approach, rarely pushing forward to attack. Arteta's team maintained only 40% possession, lacked sharp combinations, and frequently wasted time in the second half. The final minutes of the match brought many tense moments for "Gunners" fans, but Arsenal's defense ultimately held firm, securing the 1-0 victory.

Hurzeler also believed Brighton should have been awarded a penalty at the end of the first half. The 33-year-old coach added: "I think ultimately we have to accept that decision; what is important is that the referee handles other issues better. The league needs to find a regulation because I think what Arsenal did is not football. I think everyone saw the continuous time-wasting."

When asked how referees could address these issues, Hurzeler suggested: "Give more yellow cards for time-wasting. Let me ask you, have you ever seen a goalkeeper fall down three times in one match?"

In response to Hurzeler's comments, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta sarcastically replied, "That's surprising." When pressed further, he stated: "Just look back at previous matches, and you will see many comments like these. I love my players. That is what is important. We love them, and I love the way we play."

Hurzeler's post-match remarks echoed complaints he made before the game. In a press conference on 4/3 ahead of the Arsenal encounter, he accused the "Gunners" of frequent time-wasting, specifically noting: "When Arsenal gets a corner kick and is leading, sometimes they take over one minute just to take the corner. Therefore, I think we need clear regulations, because ultimately the ball-in-play time is only 50 minutes instead of sometimes 65 minutes. Football is changing a lot. We have analyzed it, and the difference is significant."