Mikel Arteta issues three-word response as Fabian Hurzeler rips Arsenal to pieces
Mikel Arteta became embroiled in a war of words with Fabian Hurzeler after Arsenal went seven points clear at the top.
Hurzeler launched a stinging rebuke about Arsenal’s performance and time-wasting tactics after Bukayo Saka clinched victory for the Gunners while Manchester City slipped up at home to Nottingham Forest.
Brighton boss Hurzeler called for the Premier League to change the rules to stop time-wasting and insisted he would never ask his players to play that way.
Hurzeler said: “I will never be the manager who tries to play that way. The Premier League needs a rule...You need rules...You need a limit.
“There was only one team that tried to win the game. I ask you one question: ‘did you see a goalkeeper go down three times to get treatment?’ I do not want to waste my time talking about it.
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“If you ask everyone here in this room did they enjoy this game, maybe one raises their hand, because he's a big Arsenal fan. If they win the Premier League, they won't care how... and you can see they do everything to win the Premier League.”
ButArtetahit back when asked about what Hurzeler said as he smiled: “What a surprise.”
When asked to expand on what he meant, Arteta 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, we love our players and I love the way we compete.”
Arteta paid tribute to his players and their resilience while Saka scored on his 300th Arsenal appearance to give the Gunners a massive lift in the title race.
Arteta added: “It's incredible what he's doing...It's a pleasure to have him! Unbelievable numbers at his age to produce the amount of games.
“To do it in the manner that he's done it and the stats that he's got related to those games. It's just incredible. So, a big night for him.”
Arteta also revealed that he only discovered City had dropped points in their 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forestafter going over to the away end to celebrate with the Arsenal fans.
He added: “When I was walking to our supporters, because I saw a reaction and I said, what happened? But it was something a little bit strange.
“From the first minute, I just mentioned it. The energy that they brought, the passion, the positivity to the team. It was amazing. Many moments we thought that we were playing very close with them and that's very helpful.”