Premier League Boss Reveals Private Text to Mikel Arteta After Arsenal Row

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler reveals he texted Mikel Arteta to clear the air after accusing Arsenal of time-wasting.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has revealed he privately texted Mikel Arteta following his public criticism of Arsenal’s match tactics earlier this month.

The exchange of text came after Brighton’s narrow 1–0 defeat to Arsenal at the Amex Stadium, where Bukayo Saka’s deflected goal secured another important victory for the Premier League leaders.

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Hürzeler had strongly criticised Arsenal after the match, accusing the visitors of deliberate time-wasting during key moments of the game.

However, the Brighton boss has now explained that he quickly reached out to Arteta to clarify his comments and express his respect for the Arsenal manager.

Brighton Frustration After Arsenal Victory

The match, played on March 4, proved a frustrating evening for Brighton.

Arsenal managed the game carefully after taking the lead, a strategy that angered Hürzeler during the post-match press conference.

The 33-year-old, who is currently the youngest permanent manager in the Premier League, claimed only one side had attempted to play attacking football.

“I think there was only one team who tried to play football today,” Hürzeler said at the time.

He also criticised delays during goal kicks and restarts, highlighting situations involving David Raya that he felt slowed the tempo of the game.

The Brighton coach called for stricter Premier League enforcement on time-wasting and suggested referees should issue more yellow cards for such incidents.

Arteta responded briefly when asked about the criticism, saying simply: “What a surprise.”

Hurzeler Explains His Texted Message to Mikel Arteta

Despite the heated comments, Hürzeler later decided to contact the Arsenal manager directly.

Speaking to the club media this week, the Brighton boss revealed he sent a message to Arteta to make his position clear.

“I texted him and I said the same thing to him as well, that I have huge respect for everyone from Arsenal,” Hürzeler explained.

“I will be the first one who will congratulate him when they win the Premier League. Because if they win it, they definitely deserve it.”

Hürzeler also admitted he admires many aspects of Arsenal’s football and the work Arteta has done at the club.

“I love to see them playing and admire a lot of elements of what they are doing,” he added.

The German coach stressed that his earlier comments came from emotion and frustration rather than any personal issue with Arteta or Arsenal.

Arteta Responds to Brighton Manager

Arteta later confirmed that he had spoken with him but chose not to reveal details of their private exchange.

“That’s a personal conversation,” Arteta said when asked about the message.

However, the Arsenal manager praised Hürzeler’s approach and spoke positively about his work at Brighton.

“I think he’s a fantastic coach,” Arteta said.

“The job that he’s doing at Brighton is really, really good.”

Reports suggest the pair exchanged views respectfully and discussed the match openly, highlighting the professional relationship between two of the Premier League’s emerging managerial talents.

Arsenal Focused on Title Push

The incident arrives during a crucial period for Arsenal as they continue their pursuit of a first Premier League title since 2004.

Arteta’s side remain firmly in the title race and have built momentum with several important victories in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Brighton continue to develop under Hürzeler’s leadership, with the young manager earning praise for his progressive approach and tactical ideas.

Although the match sparked controversy at the time, the private conversation between the two coaches shows that respect remains intact behind the scenes.

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