Fabian Hurzeler hit out at Arsenal's tactics after his side suffered a 1-0 loss to the Gunners, but the Brighton manager also made his feeling clear during the match
Piero Hincapie and Fabian Hurzeler
Fabian Hurzeler wasn't happy with Piero Hincapie(Image: TNT Sports)
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Footage has emerged of Fabian Hurzeler telling Arsenal star Piero Hincapie to 'f***ing play football' during the Gunners' 1-0 win away to Brighton. Seagulls manager Hurzeler made headlines post-match by launching an extraordinary attack on Arsenal's style of play.
"There was only one team who tried to play football today," the German fumed. "I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way."
But it wasn't just after the defeat that Hurzeler made his feelings clear. When Arsenal were awarded a throw-in, the Brighton boss handed Hincpie the ball and appeared to tell him: "F***ing play football." Hincapie responded by putting his finger to his lips.
Arsenal had taken an early lead through Bukayo Saka and brought out the darks arts to see out the victory. Mikel Arteta's side are now seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with title rivals Manchester City having slipped up in their dramatic 2-2 draw at home to Nottingham Forest.
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Although Arsenal earned the points, they didn't receive many plaudits for their performance. "I ask one question - do you ever see in a Premier League game the goalkeeper going down three times?" Hurzeler asked 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.
Piero Hincapie and Fabian Hurzeler
Piero Hincapie responded to Fabian Hurzeler's complaints by shushing him(Image: TNT Sports)
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"I love my players. That's the highlight. I love my players, we love our players. I love the way we compete."
Arsenal have been criticised for their 'ugly' approach to games as they bid to end a 22-year wait for the Premier League title. 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 take a break from Premier League action, travelling to Mansfield Town in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday. Arsenal then take on Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.