Arteta defends Arsenal’s corner tricks after Brighton win
By Joel Masibo, March 5, 2026Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended his team’s style of set-piece play after the Gunners stretched their lead at the summit of the English Premier League standings to seven points ahead of their closest challengers, Manchester City, on Wednesday night, March 4, 2026.
Bukayo Saka scored the all-important goal at Amex Stadium against the Seagulls as Arsenal look to justify the end of a 22-year title wait.
Brighton’s head coach Fabian Hurzeler had earlier criticised Arsenal’s corner tricks, accusing the Gunners of spending a minute before taking the set piece. On Wednesday night, he spent almost the whole game ‘angered’ by Arsenal’s style of play.
Hurzeler disappointed
“I think there was only one team who tried to play football today,” said Hurzeler, “and therefore I’m proud of how they did it,” Hurzeler added in post-match remarks.
“I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way. I want to do well. I want my players to keep improving and keep playing football on the pitch. In the end, of course, every team will manage and waste time, but I think 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,” he added.
Arteta reacts.
On his part, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta defended his corner tricks: “You just go back to the previous games, and you’ll find a lot of comments like this always. I love my players. That’s the highlight. I love my players; we love our players, and I love the way we compete. And on external criticism, Arteta replied, “I think they love our players. I mean, every time they talk about our players, I think they are the most loved ones in the country. We look after our own garden,” Arteta said.
However, as the corner tricks keep paying off for the Gunners, it is getting increasingly clear that the Gunners are close to winning their first title in 22 years after Arsene Wenger, as Manchester City dropped crucial points against Nottingham Forest at home.