Brighton boss slams Arsenal & Arteta: They are making their own rules! No one enjoyed this game!

Last night may turn out to be one of the crucial nights in the Premier League title race. Although there are 8 to 9 more games to go, Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Brighton and Manchester City's 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest increased the Gunners' advantage at the top of the EPL table to seven points, though the Cityzens have one game in hand.

Prior to the game, the Seagulls' boss Fabian Hurzeler touched on Arsenal's playing style, their special - and for many illegal - strategy during set pieces, and their time wasting.

Night that probably decided EPL title race! Arsenal go seven points clear, as City stumble against Forest

However, following the defeat, the German was even harsher, barely mincing his words, commenting on Mikel Arteta's crew.

Firstly, he praised his lads, claiming they were a better rival and the "only team who tried to play football".

"I think statistics never lie. We conceded one shot on the goal, we created a lot of chances, we weren't that effective."

"We could have even created more chances, but overall, like you said, in the end we lost, so we are all disappointed regarding the performance."

"I love the effort from my boys, I loved how they played football. I think there was only one team who tried to play football today and therefore I'm proud of how they did it," he began his address to the media via Sky Sports.

Still, that was only the introduction to his "attack" on the Gunners.

"I ask one question, did you see in the Premier League game a goalkeeper going down three times? No? So I think we shouldn't waste too many words about that tonight. I think therefore the Premier League has to find the rule and it's not my business."

"We tried to keep the ball moving, we tried to keep creating chances, and in the end I think these kinds of opponents you can only punish by winning against them."

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Moreover, Hurzeler argued that Arsenal are making their own rules and urged the league to react, asserting he'd never be the kind of manager Arteta is.

"There are different kinds of winning, so if they win the Premier League, no one will ask how they win the Premier League. I think you can really feel that they do everything now to win this game and in the end it's about the rules."

"If the Premier League, if the referee allows everything then it's difficult, then they make their own rules. At the moment I have the feeling Arsenal are doing their own rules, no matter how they are playing."

"Overall, like I said, I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way, I want to do well, I want my players to keep improving and keep playing football on the pitch."

The 33-year-old tactician then changed his role and had a question for the present journalists.

"Everyone here in the room, did you really enjoy this football game? I'm sure maybe one raises his arm because he's a big Arsenal fan, but besides that, no chance."

And if the North London side indeed wins the title...

"Then they are champions, but I think it's always the way we just spoke about, the way of winning, which kind of way you are choosing. And if they win, I said it: no one will ask how they win, then they deserve to win it."

"But in the end we have to make the limits, or the Premier League has to make the limits. Where will this go in the future? That's my question, where will this go?"

"Like, at one point, one game you play 60 minutes, and then when you play against Arsenal only 50 minutes, then it's 10 minutes difference, so is this for what the supporters are paying for? Do you get my point?"

Ultimately, Hurzeler stated that the referee, Chris Kavanagh, couldn't do anything because his hands were tied, all because of the aforementioned (lack of) rules and limitations.

"It's difficult, I said it to him: [referee Chris Kavanagh]: it's difficult for him, so I won't complain about the referee. Do you want to send off the goalkeeper with two yellow cards for wasting time? This will never happen, so what should he do?"

"That's the thing, that's why I think you need rules, you need limits, because that's also what he admits to me at half-time. We just talked about how can you reduce the time of waste, and he says it's even difficult for him."

Arteta's assistant gets paid for every set-piece goal

"So that's why what I said is making clear rules and I think that's responsibility from the Premier League, because then you can protect the referee," the tactician concluded his lengthy and detailed address.

On the other hand, his fellow strategist on Arsenal's bench spoke much more briefly, barely touching on the criticism his team and himself had received. Moreover, it's fair to say that he expected it.

"What a surprise!"

"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."

"I think they [critics] love our players. I mean, every time they talk about our players, I think they are the most loved ones in the country," the Spaniard said via Sky Sports.

Finally, when asked whether he cared about other people's remarks, Arteta was quite vague in his answer.

"Care? Yeah. Depends. On the comments. And the purpose of that."

In the end, only the win counts, though it's clear the Gunners' style is bothering many teams across the league. As the end of the title race approaches, it would be no wonder if more strategists followed in Hurzeler's footsteps and publicly slammed the table-toppers.

But it's natural. After all, that comes with the role of the Premier League leader. Those who can cope with that sort of pressure deserve to emerge victorious when the curtain falls.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 29

Tuesday

Bournemouth - Brentford 0-0

Everton - Burnley 2-0 (1-0)

/Tarkowski 32, Dewsbury-Hall 60/

Leeds - Sunderland 0-1 (0-0)

/Diarra 70 (p)/

Wolverhampton - Liverpool 2-1 (0-0)

/Gomes R. 78, Andre 90+4 - Salah 83/

Wednesday

Brighton - Arsenal 0-1 (0-1)

/Saka 9/

Fulham - West Ham 0-1 (0-0)

/Summerville 65/

Manchester City - Nottingham Forest 2-2 (1-0)

/Semenyo 31, Rodri 62 - Gibbs-White 56, Anderson 76/

Newcastle - Manchester United 2-1 (1-0)

/Gordon 45+6, Osula 90 - Casemiro 45+9/

Aston Villa - Chelsea 1-4 (1-2)

/Luiz 2 - Pedro 35, 45+6, 64, Palmer 55/

Thursday

23.00: (2.45) Tottenham (3.40) Crystal Palace (3.05)

***odds are subject to change***