BRIGHTON, England — It was only right that the biggest cheer of the night in a game this bad came for something that happened somewhere else.
Arsenal had just ground out a 1-0 win at Brighton when news filtered through seconds later that rivals Manchester City had drawn at home to Nottingham Forest, putting the Gunners seven points clear and the Premier League title back solely in their own hands. Fresh optimism surged through those traveling supporters who, as they filtered out, sang: “And now you will believe us, we’re gonna win the league.”
Time will tell, but a swing like this could deliver a memorable moment from an utterly forgettable game. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka scored the only goal after nine minutes on a tame strike that took a slight deflection off Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, which doesn’t exonerate goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen‘s flimsy effort in attempting a save. Arsenal were largely passive thereafter, content to slow the game down and conserve energy and possession, to an extent that aggravated Brighton from the outset.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler set the tone to some extent with his pre-match comments highlighting the length of time Arsenal take in restarting play from corners. The home fans got the message. They howled derision as the Gunners were slow to restart at goal kicks, corners, free kicks — essentially, any time the ball went out of play. Goalkeeper David Raya dropped to the ground on multiple occasions. Referee Chris Kavanagh warned him about timewasting at one point.
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Hurzeler remonstrated with fourth official David Webb and even exchanged heated words with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta midway through the first half. Arsenal defender Piero Hincapié appeared to shush Hurzeler as he took a throw-in by the Brighton dugout shortly before halftime. The animosity continued afterward as Brighton began to build up momentum, energized by Yankuba Minteh‘s introduction at halftime.
However, Arteta spoke about the need to address Arsenal’s game management after a number of shaky second-half displays. Credit where it is due: They saw the final 20 minutes out with a degree of authority.
The end justified the means, but when the phrase was put to Hurzeler, he chose to launch a scathing attack on Arsenal’s approach. “There’s different kinds of winning,” he said in response. “If they win the Premier League, no one will ask how they win the Premier League.
“You can really feel that they do everything to win this game. In the end, it is about the rules. If the Premier League, if the referee allows everything, then it is difficult. They make their own rules.
“… Do you want to send off the goalkeeper for two yellow cards for wasting time? This will never happen. So what should he do? That’s the thing, and that’s why you need rules, limits.
“That’s also what [referee Kavanagh] admits to me at halftime. We just talked about how can he reduce the time wasted, and he said it isn’t even difficult for him. We need clear rules because then you can protect the referee. They have to stick to some things and the Premier League has to help them more.”
The criticism continued. Hurzeler said he loved how his team played, and that “there was only one team that tried to play football today.”
“… I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way,” he said. “I want to develop players. I want players to keep improving, keep playing football on the pitch. In the end, every team will manage and waste time but I think there has to be a limit.
“I’m not sure if we would ask now everyone here in the room, ‘Did they really enjoy this football game?’ I’m sure maybe one raises his arm because he is a big Arsenal fan. Besides that, no chance.”
“Where will this go in the future? That’s my question. One game we play 60 minutes natural time and then you play against Arsenal, only 50 minutes. It is 10 minutes difference – is this what supporters are paying for?”
Arteta refused to engage in response. “What a surprise,” he said when the gist of Hurzeler’s diatribe was put to him.
Brighton might have been unable to halt Arsenal’s title charge, but they have added to the soundtrack for the weeks ahead. Alongside the gripes the Gunners face over their reliance on set pieces now stands public condemnation of their timewasting, which other opponents will be asked about and away crowds will seize upon any examples of.
It only adds to what Arteta refers to as the external noise surrounding Arsenal’s attempt to win their first title since 2004. But when the dust settles, the Gunners will reflect on a night where they extended their lead at the top and piled pressure onto City.
If it is a choice between winning friends and winning the title, there is no contest.
