Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has made clear he does not regret comments he made earlier this year about Arsenal's playing style, as his side prepares to host the Premier League champions this weekend.
The German's remarks first drew attention back in March, following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, a match marked by David Raya going to ground with apparent injury on three separate occasions. At the time, Hurzeler suggested Arsenal were bending the competitive rules in their favour rather than focusing purely on football.
"If they win the Premier League, no one will ask how they win the Premier League," Hurzeler said in March. "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 went further, suggesting Arsenal were effectively operating under their own code of conduct on the pitch. "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."
With Arsenal now set to travel to the Amex Stadium on Saturday, Hurzeler was reminded of those comments and given the chance to soften his stance. He chose instead to stand by them, while acknowledging Arsenal's success last season.
"Last season was last season," Hurzeler said. "Opinions are important and I will always share my opinion if I am asked. But I congratulated Arsenal for being deserved champions. It's a new season. They started very impressively. It is our challenge to compete with them."
The fixture arrives with both clubs in strong form. Brighton have been particularly electric in front of goal, netting 13 times across their opening four league fixtures. Their momentum was further boosted in midweek when they overturned a two-goal deficit to eliminate Manchester United from the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford, a result that will have added belief heading into the weekend's Premier League test.
Arsenal, meanwhile, arrive at the Amex on the back of a testing run of fixtures, with Saturday's game representing their fourth consecutive away trip. Their most recent league outing saw them labour past Sunderland, eventually winning 2-0 despite a below-par performance, with Raya proving decisive by saving a penalty from Enzo Le Fee to preserve the clean sheet.
Hurzeler has warned Arsenal to expect a hostile reception on the south coast, promising that the home crowd will play its part in trying to engineer an upset against the champions. The 3pm kickoff on Saturday sets up an intriguing clash between two of the division's most eye-catching attacking sides so far this season, with the added subplot of the renewed tension between Hurzeler and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta adding extra spice to proceedings.
Both managers will be keen to make a statement, with Brighton eager to prove their attacking form can trouble the very best, while Arsenal look to shake off a stuttering display against Sunderland and reassert their credentials as they bid to defend their title.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (football).