With many chastising Arsenal's playing style throughout this season, Mikel Arteta has been given a firm warning by one former Premier League manager
Piero Hincapie and Fabian Hurzeler
Piero Hincapie and Fabian Hurzeler had an exchange on the touchline(Image: TNT Sports)
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Ex-West Ham boss Alan Pardew has suggested any Premier League title win for Arsenal would come with an "asterisk". Mikel Arteta's team clinched a crucial 1-0 victory on the road against Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday night.
However, the three points were marred by allegations of time-wasting and gamesmanship from Seagulls' manager Fabian Hurzeler, who also had an altercation with Arsenal star Piero Hincapie on the touchline. The German singled out goalkeeper David Raya, accusing the Spaniard of deliberately running down the clock by feigning injury on three occasions.
In response, Arteta simply stated many teams in the league have levelled similar accusations at his side, but they are not paying them any heed. With the Gunners now seven points ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand, Pardew feels fans might view any title triumph with scepticism due to Arsenal's tactics.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the former Hammers boss said: "When I'm looking at them with my football manager's head on, they're so professional. They do every bit of gamesmanship to get it over the line."
He then added: "There'll be an asterisk next to their name because you've only got to look at them really in these type of performances and say it's just a functional display.
"It's a professional, functional display. They're good, they're strong, they're powerful. But there is nothing beautiful about them. That's the truth."
Arsenal secured a victory over Brighton courtesy of an early goal from Saka. Despite having several opportunities, the home team failed to score against the North London side.
Mikel Arteta manager / head coach of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on March 01, 2026 in London, England
Arteta is taking no notice of Arsenal's dissenters(Image: 2026 Catherine Ivill - AMA)
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Brighton were also irked by what they perceived as gamesmanship from the Gunners. Alongside Raya frequently requiring medical attention, Brighton's Joel Veltman was seen pulling Saka back onto his feet, suspecting the English player was attempting to run down the clock.
Post-match, an incensed Hurzeler said: "There was only one team that tried to play football today. I ask one question - do you ever see in a Premier League game the goalkeeper going down three times? We should focus on our performance, we cannot control these types of things. I made my point before the game.
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"We shouldn't concentrate on these things... let's talk about us. The Premier League needs to look at rules. There were so many [periods of time wasting]."
In response to the German's remarks, Arteta simply retorted: "What a surprise. You can just go back to the previous games and you will find a lot of comments. I love my players. That's the highlight. I love my players, we love our players, and I love the way that we compete."
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