Gabriel hits back at Fabian Hurzeler's claim 'Arsenal make their own rules'

Gabriel and his Arsenal teammates were accused of time wasting against Brighton (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has issued a defiant response to thecomplaints of Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler in the wake of Wednesday’s fractious Premier League clash.

The Gunners were a long way from at their best at the Amex, careless with the ball and too accommodating in letting their hosts play through them in midfield.

Nevertheless, they dug in for a third league win in a row, and on a night when Manchester City dropped points at home this was one more fixture crossed out in their Premier League title push as they surged seven points clear.

Much of the post match discourse, however, centered on Hurzeler and his coruscating assessment of the league leaders.

‘I think there was only one team that tried to play football today, he said. ‘Did you see in a Premier League game a goalkeeper going down the times? No?

‘We shouldn’t waste too many words about that tonight. We can’t control these kind of things. The Premier League has to find a rule. In the end it’s about the rules. If the Premier League and referee allow everything, then it’s difficult.

‘They make their own rules. At the moment I have the feeling they are doing their own rules. I will never be the kind of manager who tries to win in that way. I want to develop players.

Brighton accused David Raya of faking an injury (Picture: Getty)

‘If I ask everyone in the room, did he really enjoy this game? I’m sure maybe one raises his arm because he’s a big Arsenal fan. Where will this go in the future? Is this what the supporters are paying for?’

Mikel Arteta gave his counterpart’s assessment short shrift and Gabriel, who delivered the latest man of the match performance of an outstanding campaign, echoed his manager’s sentiments.

He told ESPN Brazil : ‘We don’t really care about what he says. ‘That is for the referee to decide on the pitch. If he wants to give a yellow card or not, he decides the time we take.

@metrosportuk Walcott isn’t having any Arsenal slander 👀 There have been lots of negative comments about the Gunners’ playing style in the Premier League, but Arsenal legend Theo Walcott has shut them down, saying his former side have just managed to find a way of being better than their opposition. #walcott #arsenal #premierleague #mikelarteta #footballfans ♬ original sound – Metro Sport

We just have to do things the way we are doing and keep going.

‘I think not every game we will be perfect. The way we defend is very important. The most important thing is the three points.

‘Tomorrow we will see what we can do better. But today the three points were very important.