Mikel Arteta ends Fabian Hurzeler row in one answer after new Arsenal rant

Mikel Arteta shut down Fabian Hurzeler after the Brighton manager complained about Arsenal again following their 1-0 defeat to the Premier League leaders.

Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the game in the ninth minute to secure a vital three points for the Gunners.

Crucially, title rivals Manchester City could only draw 2-2 at home to Nottingham Forest, extending Arsenal's lead at the top of the table to seven points.

And while City do have a game in hand, the set of results could prove pivotal in deciding the destination of this season's Premier League title.

A gift for Arsenal 🔴

Bukayo Saka marks his 300th Gunners' appearance with an early strike that goes right through Bart Verbruggen.@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Eg5QAGo8tT

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 4, 2026

It also meant that Arteta was in no mood to entertain comments from his opposite number Hurzeler, who once again criticised Arsenal's style of play after his side's defeat at the Amex.

Hurzeler said: "There was one team who tried to play football today.

"I ask one question. Did you see [in] a Premier League game, a goalkeeper going down three times? We should focus on our performance, we cannot control these types of things.

"If they win the Premier League, no-one will ask how they won it.

"In the end, it is about the rules. If the referee allows everything, at the moment they are doing their own rules. It is difficult to judge that.

"I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way."

When those comments were put to Arteta, the Spaniard simply replied: "What a surprise!"

He refused to elaborate further.

Arteta was then asked about whether he cares what opposition managers think - before appearing to make his feelings clear towards Hurzeler.

"It depends on the comment, the person and the purpose," he replied.

Hurzeler had used his pre-match press conference to question Arsenal's set piece tactics, and called on a rule change to be introduced in English football.

"Every supporter pays a lot of money to watch our games, and should see the same game time," the German stated.

"I am upset we haven't scored more and that we have conceded [from set-pieces] as well," Arteta had said in response.

"We want to be the best and most dominant team in every aspect of the game."