Brighton boss doubles down on Arsenal 'own rules' claim

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Fabian Hurzeler has refused to walk back the comments he made about Arsenal's game management last season, with the Brighton manager insisting he will always share his opinion when asked.

The German's frustration spilled over in March, when Arsenal left the Amex with a 1-0 win in a match that saw David Raya go down injured on three separate occasions. Hurzeler claimed afterwards that there was "only one team who tried to play football".

"If they win the Premier League, no one will ask how they win the Premier League," he said at the time. "You can really feel that they do everything now to win and, in the end, it's about the rules. So if the Premier League, if the referee, allows everything, then it's difficult. Then, they make their own rules."

He added: "At the moment, I have the feeling they are doing their own rules, no matter how they are playing. I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way. Of course, every team will manage and waste time but 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."

Hurzeler stands by his words

Asked about those remarks ahead of Saturday's reunion, Hurzeler made no attempt to distance himself from them.

"Last season was last season," he said. "Opinions are important and I will always share my opinion if I am asked. But I congratulated Arsenal for being deserved champions."

He then turned his attention to the present. "It's a new season. They started very impressively. It is our challenge to compete with them."

The Brighton boss also warned that the Amex "will be loud" for the 3pm kick-off, with his side eyeing a statement result against one of the Premier League's form teams.

A tricky trip on the south coast

Brighton arrive into the fixture in strong form of their own, having scored 13 goals in their opening four league games and recovered from two goals down at Old Trafford to knock Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are preparing for a fourth consecutive away game. Mikel Arteta's side edged past Sunderland 2-0 last time out in the league, with Raya — the man at the centre of Hurzeler's complaints in March — again decisive as he saved Enzo Le Fee's penalty.

The Amex has been a difficult venue for the Gunners in recent years, and the added subplot of Hurzeler's unretracted criticism gives Saturday's meeting an extra edge. Arsenal's response will come on the pitch at 3pm.