Brighton vs Arsenal — Arteta buries hatchet with manager Hurzeler ahead of Premier League clash

Fabian Hurzeler sparked the feud following a 1-0 loss to Arsenal at the Amex Stadium in March, claiming “only one team tried to play football” and accusing the Gunners of “making their own rules”.

Updated : Sep 18, 2026 17:54 IST , London - 4 MINS READ

Mikel Arteta says he has moved on from his disagreement with Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Mikel Arteta says he has moved on from his disagreement with Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler after the pair’s touchline row last season, as they prepare to face one another again on Saturday.

Hurzeler sparked the feud following a 1-0 loss to Arsenal at the Amex Stadium in March, claiming “only one team tried to play football” and accusing the Gunners of “making their own rules”. With the reigning champions returning to Brighton this weekend, attention will inevitably turn to whether any lingering tension remains between the two managers.

When asked this week about his previous remarks, Hurzeler stood by his right to speak freely. “I think it’s very important that in football there are opinions,” he said. “I will definitely always share my opinion if I am asked. But, in the end, I congratulate Arsenal for being deserved champions. They deserved it.”

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Arteta, meanwhile, insisted on Friday that the matter was firmly behind his side. “That’s all done. That’s all in the past,” the Arsenal boss told reporters. “I have huge respect for Fabian, and what he’s done and what Brighton has done as a club. It’s just remarkable, and tomorrow is going to be a beautiful game to watch, I’m sure.”

Arsenal has begun its Premier League title defence in emphatic fashion, securing four straight wins to sit atop the table. It also beat Napoli in its Champions League opener and progressed to the League Cup fourth round with a victory at Ipswich on Tuesday.

Teenage playmaker Max Dowman impressed against Ipswich in his first appearance of the campaign, netting twice to reinforce his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most promising young talents.

The 16-year-old has strengthened his case for more involvement after spending the opening weeks as an unused substitute, though Arteta was clear on how players would earn their place on the field.

“The best way to knock on the door is to do it on the pitch, not in the office,” he said. “Then you just leave out the arguments. When a player delivers constantly on the pitch, every single day in training, that’s the best way, that’s the best signal for the manager.” he noted.

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Including the Community Shield win over Manchester City, Arsenal has now triumphed in seven consecutive matches. A further victory on the south coast would see the side equal the club’s 123-year record for their best start to a season. “We know how complicated it is to win a football match at this level. So, to win seven, it tells a story,” Arteta said.

“After the World Cup, there were a lot of unknowns about how the players and the team were going to react. We didn’t have any time with them to work together. But I said from day one, the attitude and what I was seeing, I was really impressed with. Then you have to put it down to performances.” he also added.

Although Arteta has yet to sign a new contract, with discussions ongoing for several months, he remains unconcerned. “I think we are all very much aligned, whenever the time is right we’ll get that done. There is nothing to be concerned about,” he added.