Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler calls-out time-wasting Arsenal ahead of Amex Stadium clash

Fabian Hurzeler took issue with the time it takes for Arsenal to deliver a set-piece ahead of their Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium this Wednesday.

Hurzeler said league-leaders Arsenal are "the best in world at set-pieces" but feels they take too long to take corners - especially when they are leading.

"Sometimes they spend one minute to take a corner if they are leading," said the Brighton boss who has guided his team to six points from their last two matches.

The German added: “The main topic is to make a clear rule on how much time you can waste for a corner, for a throw-in, for a free-kick.

“I think no-one recognises it, but when Arsenal have a corner and they are leading, sometimes they spend over one minute just to take a corner.

“Therefore, I think we just have to make clear rules. The game is changing so much.

“I have the opinion that every supporter who pays a lot of money to go to the stadiums and watch our games should see the same net-to-game time because they pay a lot of money.

“They want to see a football event and they don't want to see maybe 50 minutes the ball is in the game and 40 minutes the game is not.

“Therefore, that's how I see it, but I think we won't change these rules immediately.”

Hurzeler: we stick to our principles

On dealing with Arsenal’s set pieces in general, Hurzeler added: “We have a way to defend corners, we have a way to defend throw-ins. We have a way to defend free-kicks and it's very important that you stick to it, you keep working on your principles.

“Because you can always improve these kinds of principles. If you always try to jump from one thing to another thing, then the players always have to adapt and they never get this deep thinking of our principles.

“Therefore, it's definitely a big strength from Arsenal. They do it in an impressive way this season. They have a lot of good takers, a lot of physicality, a lot of good blocks, so it's definitely something we have to take care of, but we will stick to our principles.”

James Milner will be assessed

Brighton will hope to welcome back midfielder Yasin Ayari as he recovers from a dislocated shoulder but 40-year-old James Milner will be assessed following his two starts against Brentford and Nottingham Forest. “He may need more recovery time,” said Hurzeler.

Mats Wieffer should be fit despite going off in the closing stages of the 2-1 win against Forest last Sunday.

Veteran striker Danny Welbeck - fresh from triggering a new contract this week - will hope to go from the start against his former club and add to his two goals in the last two matches. Welbeck, 35, has 10 goals to his name this term.

Solly March should be availble after his 10 minutes against Forest, while Yankuba Minteh, Georginio and Carlos Baleba are pushing for minutes.

Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas are the long-term absentees.