Ruud Gullit and Fabian Hurzeler condemn Arsenal tactics following controversial victory over Chelsea

Ruud Gullit slams Arsenal vs Chelsea as a garbage match while Fabian Hurzeler demands new rules to stop Arsenal's set piece time wasting.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 4:16 PM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Football365

Legendary Criticism of Modern Play

Ruud Gullit has expressed significant frustration with the current state of professional football following Arsenal's 2,1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday. The former Premier League manager described the encounter as an absolute garbage match, citing a lack of individual flair and an over-reliance on structured tasks. Gullit noted that all three goals in the match originated from set pieces, a statistic that he believes highlights a move away from open play creativity. He stated that the joy of the sport is missing, lamenting the absence of players who take on defenders in favor of repetitive passing sequences.

Tactical Reliance on Set Pieces

Arsenal currently holds a five point lead over Manchester City in the Premier League title race, yet their methods have drawn increasing scrutiny from observers and rivals alike. The club has faced criticism for a perceived lack of goals from open play, with a significant portion of their offensive output coming from dead ball situations. Gullit argued that the focus has shifted toward cynically creating corners and throw-ins rather than traditional attacking maneuvers. He expressed concern that the sport is heading down a path where players simply execute mechanical tasks rather than displaying natural talent and dribbling ability.

Calls for Time Management Reform

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler joined the criticism by suggesting that major rule changes are required to curb time wasting tactics utilized by Arsenal and other top flight clubs. Hurzeler pointed out that there are currently no clear regulations governing the amount of time a team can spend preparing for a corner or a throw-in. He argued that these delays disturb the rhythm of the game and result in a significant decrease in natural game time. According to his analysis, the difference in active playing time between matches is massive, impacting the experience of supporters who pay for a full football event.