Fabian Hurzeler blasts Arsenal star for 'time wasting' after Brighton defeat

Fabian Hurzeler slammed Arsenal’s ‘time wasting’ after their 1-0 win over Brighton (TNT Sports)

Fabian Hurzeler has hit out at Arsenal ’s ‘time-wasting’ against Brighton and has singled out David Raya for criticism following his side’s 1-0 defeat.

Bukayo Saka ’s first-half goal was enough to secure the victory for Mikel Arteta ’s side, who are now seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after Manchester City were held at home to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest.

Brighton, meanwhile, were unhappy in the first half after they were denied a penalty for Gabriel Martinelli’s pull on Mats Wieffer.

VAR checked the incident and deemed ‘there was no clear and obvious error’ by referee Chris Kavanagh.

In his press conference before the game, Hurzeler called on the Premier League to update their rules in order to combat Arsenal’s time-wasting tactics .

And speaking after Brighton’s defeat, Hurzeler doubled down on his plea to the Premier League, pointing out that Raya was the worst offender during their game on Wednesday evening.

‘For me it’s a penalty,’ Hurzeler said.

Fabian Hurzeler singled out Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya for going to ground with an injury on more than one occasion (Reuters)

Asked if he had received an explanation, Hurzeler said: ‘No, I think in the end we have to accept the decision.

‘It’s more about, for me, that he handles the other things better. In general, the Premier League needs to find a rule because I think that’s nothing football what Arsenal did there and therefore that was more the point I made.’

When asked to be specific on his complaints about Arsenal, Hurzeler replied: ‘I think everyone saw it, therefore everyone has to make his own opinion . I said it before the game and I think now we shouldn’t use too many words about this, we should more focus on the performance and what we did well tonight.’

Asked for a potential solution, Hurzeler replied: ‘Add to game time, give more yellow cards for time wasting.

‘Can I ask you, did you see a goalkeeper go down three times in a game?’