BRIGHTON, United Kingdom — Mikel Arteta slammed Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler's claim that Arsenal "makes their own rules", after the Premier League leader moved a step closer to the title with a 1-0 win at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday.
Bukayo Saka, celebrating his 300th appearance for the north London club, sealed Arsenal's third successive victory with a goal in the ninth minute.
The Gunners are now seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City, which was held to a surprise 2-2 draw by lowly Nottingham Forest, but still has a game in hand.
Arsenal has complete control of the title race as it chases a first English crown since 2004, following three consecutive runner-up finishes.
But, if Arsenal does go on to claim the title, it is highly unlikely it will be held in the same regard as Arsene Wenger's squad 22 years ago.
In contrast to the eye-catching soccer of the "Invincibles", there is little to love about Arteta's prosaic team, which has thrived thanks to its set-piece excellence and a supremely well-drilled defense.
Criticism of Arsenal's "ugly" tactics is growing, and Hurzeler was the latest to join the chorus as he accused the Gunners of time-wasting and faking injuries.
Hurzeler was frustrated by Arsenal's habit of delaying the restart of the game at freekicks.
Gunners keeper David Raya also went down injured on three separate occasions and required treatment, sparking suggestions he was faking to allow time for tactical discussions between Arteta and his players.
"I think there was only one team that tried to play football today," Hurzeler said. "Did you see in a Premier League game a goalkeeper going down that many times? No.
"They (Arsenal) make their own rules. At the moment, I have that feeling.
"I will never be the kind of manager who tries to win in that way.
"If I ask everyone in this room, did he really enjoy the game? I'm sure maybe one raises his hand, because he's a big Arsenal fan, but besides that, no chance.
"We tried to keep the ball moving, we tried to keep creating chances, and, in the end, I think you can only punish these kinds of opponents by winning against them," he said.
"One game you play (the ball is in play 60 minutes), and then when you play against Arsenal, it's only 50 minutes, it's 10 minutes difference, so is this what the supporters are paying for? Do you get my point?"
Yet Arteta was unrepentant about Arsenal's game plan, insisting his players deserved praise for grinding out another vital victory.
"What a surprise," he said when informed of Hurzeler's claims.
"If you go back through previous games, you will find a lot of comments like this, always.
"I love my players. That's the highlight. I love my players and I love the way we compete.
"When you're in the position we are in, obviously the opposition want to take that away from you. That's normal, that is sport."
"This was a really difficult one after everything we've been through in the last few weeks," Arteta later told TNT Sports.
"Every game in the Premier League offers you different things. Big credit to the boys because the effort they put in is astronomical."
Arsenal might not be earning many style points, but Arteta doesn't care as his side remains in contention for the quadruple.
As well as leading the Premier League, the Gunners face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last 16, meet Manchester City in the League Cup final and visit Mansfield in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.
Asked whether he cared what other managers thought of him, Arteta replied: "No comment.