Hurzeler’s radical proposal to stop Arsenal from wasting time at corners
Arsenal have come under scrutiny from Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler, who has questioned the time taken over corners when the Gunners are leading matches.
Hurzeler raised the issue ahead of Arsenal’s visit to the Amex Stadium, calling for clearer regulations around set pieces.
Arsenal scored both goals from corners in their recent 2-1 win over Chelsea.
They have now netted 16 Premier League goals from corners this season, matching the joint-highest total recorded in a single campaign.
While acknowledging the effectiveness of Mikel Arteta’s side from dead-ball situations, Hurzeler suggested the lack of time limits disrupts the rhythm of games.
“It disturbs the rhythm of the game and there are no clear rules any more about how much time you can spend on a corner or a throw-in,” he said.
He argued that inconsistencies in officiating add to the confusion.
“Sometimes the referee whistles for blocking and it’s a foul, sometimes he doesn’t,” Hurzeler explained.
The Brighton boss claimed Arsenal can take over a minute to deliver a corner when protecting a lead.
“No-one recognises it, but when Arsenal have a corner and they are leading, sometimes they spend over a minute just to take it,” he said.
Hurzeler believes this contributes to a reduction in effective playing time.
“In the end we sometimes have only around 50 minutes of natural game time,” he added.
He called for governing bodies to introduce firm guidelines on how long players can delay restarts.
“For me the main topic is to make a clear rule for how much time you can waste for a corner, a throw-in or a free-kick,” he stated.
Hurzeler stressed that supporters deserve consistency.
“Every supporter who pays a lot of money should see the same natural game time,” he said.
Despite his concerns, he acknowledged the importance of set pieces in the modern game.
“They can be game changers, so we have to use them as well and defend them well,” he added.
Arsenal’s dominance from corners has become a defining feature of their title challenge.
Opponents may question the process, but the numbers underline their efficiency and organisation in decisive moments.
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