Brighton Manager Fabian Hurzeler Issues Respectful Text to Role Model Mikel Arteta Following Anti-Football Outburst

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler reveals the private text he sent Mikel Arteta to clear the air after their heated Premier League clash.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 13, 2026, 10:20 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

Mending Fences After a Public Confrontation

In the aftermath of a contentious defeat to Arsenal, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has reached out to Mikel Arteta to clarify his recent remarks regarding the Gunners’ playing style. The tension originated from Hurzeler’s post-match assertion that only one side attempted to play football during the match, a comment that drew a pointed response from the Arsenal camp. Preparing for a fixture against Sunderland, the Brighton boss disclosed that he utilized a private text message to reinforce his professional respect for the current Premier League leaders, aiming to move past the "noise" created by his initial emotional reaction to the loss.

The Professional admiration for the Arsenal Project

Despite his frustrations with the specific match dynamics, Hurzeler was quick to categorize Arteta as a primary role model in his managerial development. The Brighton coach expressed deep admiration for the structural progress Arsenal has made under the Spaniard’s leadership, noting that the work achieved at the Emirates Stadium is nothing short of incredible. According to Hurzeler, his criticism was never intended to diminish Arsenal’s status as a global powerhouse or their deserving position at the top of the table, but rather to highlight specific grievances regarding game management that occurred on the day.

Standing Firm on Principles of Sportsmanship

While the dialogue between the two managers was described as a "good exchange," Hurzeler remained resolute in his critique of time-wasting tactics. He noted that statistical data from the match confirmed his feelings about the limited ball-in-play time, and he called for clearer officiating rules to address such strategies. The German tactician argued that even managers of smaller clubs must feel empowered to voice their opinions on the integrity of the game, asserting that sticking to his principles is more important than avoiding the scrutiny that comes with challenging the league’s elite teams.