Gabriel Magalhães has dismissed accusations from Fabian Hürzeler that Arsenal F.C. deliberately wasted time during their 1–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Hürzeler criticised the Gunners both before and after Wednesday’s match, alleging that Mikel Arteta’s side frequently delayed play during throw-ins and corners. During the game at the Falmer Stadium, also known as the Amex, the Brighton bench and supporters repeatedly appealed to referee Chris Kavanagh about the stoppages.
The German coach later intensified his criticism after the match, saying “only one team tried to play football.”
However, Gabriel shrugged off the remarks in an interview with ESPN Brasil, stating: “We don’t really care about what he says. That is for the referee to decide on the pitch. If he wants to give a yellow card or not, he decides the time we take. We just have to do things the way we are doing and keep going.”
The win extended Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points after Manchester City F.C. surrendered two leads in a home draw against Nottingham Forest F.C.
Despite the advantage, Gabriel urged his teammates to stay focused as they chase their first league title in 22 years. The Brazilian defender said: “We have to concentrate on ourselves and keep going the way we are. Now it’s three wins in a row, and of course we have to keep winning. That’s the most important thing.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka, who scored in his 300th appearance for the club, insisted the team is ignoring outside criticism as the season approaches its decisive phase.
He said: “We don’t listen to that stuff. I don’t see it, I don’t read it. It is not beneficial in any way.
“We just want to continue going our way, winning. People will say whatever they want to see, whether we play the most beautiful football or if we score from a set-piece, they will still talk. For us, we just want to win games and we are now getting closer to the end of the season.”
Next up, Arsenal will face Mansfield Town F.C. in the FA Cup as they aim to reach the quarter-finals.
After that, the league leaders travel to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League before hosting Everton F.C. in the Premier League next weekend.