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Fabian Hurzeler softened his stance on Mikel Arteta after criticizing Arsenal’s ‘time-wasting’ tactics in a 0-1 defeat.
Mikel Arteta. (AP Images)
Fabian Hurzeler has softened his stance about Mikel Arteta after going on an extraordinary rant against the Gunners after his Brighton side’s 0-1 home defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League last week.
Hurzeler had questioned Arsenal for ‘time-wasting’ in the match, saying their tactics were ‘not football’ and said ‘I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way.’ Arteta didn’t hold back in his post-match press conference either, simply stating, ‘What a surprise’ when asked about the remarks.
Later, it was revealed that the time taken by the Gunners on set-pieces in that match was around the average for a Premier League game, and that goalkeeper David Raya, on average, took the third least time to release the ball, with Brighton number one Bart Verbruggen being the second-worst.
Now, Hurzeler admitted that he was ’emotional’, adding Arsenal would be deserving Premier League champions if they were to go that far.
“It’s nothing personal and I’ve said it before I have huge respect (for Arteta),” he said, as quoted by The Athletic. I see him as one of the top managers in the Premier League. I love to see them play and I admire a lot of elements of what they are doing. I texted him and said the same thing to him as well, that I have huge respect for everyone at Arsenal and I will be the first one to congratulate them when they win the Premier League, because if they win it they will definitely deserve it. But on the other side there were just things that made me emotional and I am a person that sticks to my principles, sticks to my opinion, although it created a lot of noise. I think that’s important in life.”
“Yeah. We had a good exchange before in general and also afterwards he shared his opinion, I shared my opinion. In the end it’s football, it’s about emotions, everyone defending his side, everyone trying to defend his opinion. But overall, like I said, I admire his work and we are still in a good exchange. Therefore, I wish him and Arsenal all the best,” he added.
Arsenal are six points clear at the top of the table, with nearest rivals Manchester City having a game in hand.
March 13, 2026, 5:54 PM IST
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