Mikel Arteta: I’m on good terms with Fabian Hurzeler after comments cleared up

Mikel Arteta insisted he and Fabian Hurzeler were on good terms after the Brighton boss reached out to clear up his critical comments about Arsenal’s style of play.

Hurzeler accused the Gunners of “making their own rules” following last week’s 1-0 loss to the Premier League leaders and on Friday revealed he had exchanged texts with Arteta, telling the Spaniard he had “huge respect” for the Arsenal boss and everyone at the club.

Arteta refused to reveal the details of their exchange and doubled down in his defence of their approach ahead of Saturday’s top-flight meeting with Everton.

“That’s a personal conversation,” said Arteta. “Obviously he’s made public and now said some comments that he made before and that says, I think, a lot of positive things about him as a person.

“So I appreciate that and the rest, you know, I think he’s a fantastic coach. The job that he is doing at Brighton is really, really good and that’s fine.”

Arsenal’s critics have pointed to their reliance on set-pieces and absence of what some, including Alan Pardew – who described their style as “functional” – feel is a lack of excitement or beauty in their game.

Arteta would offer no apologies, adding: “That’s why there are the rules. For the long throws, we don’t want to see long throws, it’s very simple.

“Give four seconds for the long throws if you need, but the biggest issue is the man-to-man, believe me.

“And then all the managers have to agree, you cannot defend man-to-man and tomorrow, you’re going to have a different league. I guarantee you, a different league.”