Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler accused Arsenal of 'making their own rules' after their 1-0 win at the Amex Stadium, claiming the Gunners deliberately wasted time. Hurzeler was particularly critical of Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya's behavior and the overall flow of the game, suggesting the visitors manipulated match tempo to protect their early lead.

However, statistical analysis reveals Arsenal's average ball in play time of 55.6% this season actually exceeds the Premier League average. The match against Brighton featured 53 minutes and 58 seconds of active play - only slightly below the league standard. Arsenal's corner preparation time of 44.5 seconds ranks highest in the league, though their overall restart delays at Brighton averaged 31.4 seconds.

While Arsenal's 59 delays during the match created a stop-start atmosphere that suited their defensive approach, they rank only eighth for total delays this season. The data shows time-wasting is a league-wide issue, with this season's average ball in play time the second-lowest since 2006/07. Despite Hurzeler's frustration, Arsenal's tactics, while effective in securing the win, reflect broader trends rather than unique misconduct.