Fabian Hürzeler
In a post-match press conference following the clash at Amex Stadium, Fabian Hurzeler did not hold back in his criticism of Arsenal’s tactics. The manager was particularly vocal about what he perceived as gamesmanship and time-wasting by the North London club. Hurzeler’s comments highlighted his frustration with the way the match unfolded and the decisions made by the officials.
Fabian Hurzeler said: “There was only one team who tried to play football today. I ask one question. Did you see a Premier League game, a goalkeeper going down three times? We should focus on our performance, we cannot control these types of things. I made my point before the game.”
He added: “Very difficult, but we tried hard. We tried to keep the ball moving. We tried to create chances.”
Hurzeler continued: “I think no-one recognises it, but when Arsenal have a corner and they are leading, sometimes they spend over one minute just to take a corner. Therefore, I think we just have to make clear rules. The game is changing so much.”
Hurzeler’s comments reflect a broader concern about the state of the game and the need for consistency in officiating. His frustration was compounded by a controversial decision not to award a penalty for a foul on Mats Wieffer by Gabriel Martinelli. This incident, along with the perceived time-wasting tactics, left Hurzeler questioning the integrity of the match’s flow.
The manager also emphasized the importance of delivering a full football experience to fans, who pay significant amounts to attend matches. He argued that supporters deserve to see a fair and uninterrupted game, rather than one dominated by stoppages and delays.
Hurzeler stated: “I have the opinion that every supporter who pays a lot of money to go to the stadiums and watch our games should see the same net-to-game time because they pay a lot of money. They want to see a football event and they don’t want to see maybe 50 minutes the ball is in the game and 40 minutes the game is not.”
Hurzeler’s remarks underscore a growing debate within football regarding the enforcement of rules and the impact of gamesmanship on the sport’s appeal. While changes may not occur immediately, his call for clearer regulations resonates with many who seek to preserve the integrity and excitement of the game.
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