Pascal Gross Slams Arsenal’s ‘Time Wasting’ After Brighton Defeat | Premier League News

Pascal Groß, the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder, has voiced his frustration with perceived time-wasting tactics employed by Arsenal during Wednesday night’s Premier League encounter at the Amex Stadium. The Gunners secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Bukayo Saka, extending their lead at the top of the table to seven points, though Manchester City hold a game in hand.

Gross’s comments follow similar criticism from Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler, who questioned Arsenal’s approach before and after the match. Hurzeler suggested that only one team attempted to play football during the contest and called for stricter enforcement of rules regarding time-wasting. He specifically pointed to instances where Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya went down injured on multiple occasions.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Groß stated that Brighton “outplayed” Arsenal, adding, “No words needed for that for Arsenal. I said my opinion on it. I’m really proud of my fans for how they supported us. Everyone can make their own decision, but I’m sure you don’t like to watch these football games. I made my point and I think it’s a fair point. Football fans seek to see a football game, not time wasting.”

The midfielder elaborated on Arsenal’s tactics in a separate interview with TNT Sports, highlighting how they disrupt the flow of the game. “From corners, they block us, they don’t even watch the ball. That’s how it is, but it’s also why they keep a clean sheet. They defend strong and on the edge,” he explained. “It kills the rhythm. If you watch the games back, they’re very good at doing it. They grab time setting things up for themselves. It plays in their favour.”

The accusations of time-wasting come at a crucial juncture in the Premier League title race. Arsenal, aiming to secure their first league title since 2004, have been praised for their consistency and tactical discipline this season. However, these criticisms suggest a growing perception that their approach prioritizes game management over expansive, attacking football. The timing of these accusations, with a pivotal clash against Manchester City looming in April, adds further weight to the debate.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta responded to Hurzeler’s post-match comments with a dismissive tone. “What a surprise,” he said. “You can just go back to the previous games and you will identify 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 that we compete.” This response is unlikely to quell the controversy, and the issue is likely to continue to be debated as the season progresses.

The match itself saw Arsenal maintain their strong defensive record, securing another clean sheet. While Brighton created several opportunities in the second half, they were unable to convert them into goals. Groß acknowledged this, stating, “In the second half, we had two or three chances. We didn’t finish the attack, it’s the only thing we missed today. We didn’t give away many chances. A good performance, really good effort but we’re disappointed about the result.”

Gross’s career has seen him play in various positions, demonstrating his versatility as a midfielder or full-back. He joined Brighton in 2017 and was the club’s all-time Premier League top scorer until Danny Welbeck surpassed him in 2025. He also recently earned his first call-up to the German national team in August 2023, making his debut in a friendly against Japan. He was subsequently selected for the German squad at UEFA Euro 2024.

Currently, Groß is under contract with Brighton until 2026, though he recently completed a loan spell with Borussia Dortmund, returning to Brighton in 2026. His experience and outspoken nature make him a key figure in the Brighton squad, and his comments are likely to resonate with fans who value attacking, open football. The debate surrounding Arsenal’s tactics is likely to continue, with Groß’s words adding fuel to the fire as the title race intensifies.