THE countdown is on with Arsenal now just seven wins away from lifting their first Premier League title in more than two decades.

For that to happen, though, the players are going to need to keep their heart rates in check as the pressure mounts, with Mikel Arteta calling for calm following the win over Brighton.

Bukayo Saka’s early deflected strike sealed a 1-0 victory at the Amex, a result that was made all the sweeter when the news filtered through that Man City had been held to a 2-2 draw in their home match against Nottingham Forest.

But after seeing the Gunners extend their advantage at the top of the table to seven points, Arteta faced questions about the long balls being played by his team.

The Spaniard was quick to explain away Arsenal’s punting prowess, insisting: “I think that was down to what happened in the game as well and the lack of composure that we had in certain moments – probably our heart rate is a little bit too high in certain moments because we are trying to recover as well.

“So obviously that’s not the intention, but the players have to make the decision. If they believe that throughout certain moments they have to do that [play long balls], they have to do it.”
Arteta was in no mood to defend his methods after the Gunners were accused of time-wasting tactics and “making their own rules”.

The pre- and post-match noise surrounding the trip to Brighton was dominated by Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler, who questioned how long it took Arsenal to take corners, while fuming that “there was only one team who tried to play football”.

“If the Premier League, if the referee allows everything, then it’s difficult, then they make their own rules,” ranted Hurzeler. “At the moment I have the feeling Arsenal are doing their own rules.

“Overall, like I said, 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, and 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, and at the moment they just can do what they want.”

Asked about Hurzeler’s comments, Arteta said: “What a surprise. You can just go back to the previous games and you will find a lot of comments.

“I love my players. That’s the highlight. I love my players, we love our players, and I love the way we compete.”