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London: Mikel Arteta has made peace with Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler following their row last season as the pair go head to head again on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Hurzeler criticised Arteta\u2019s style of play during a 1-0 defeat against the Gunners at the Amex Stadium in March.<\/p>\n
The German said \u201conly one team tried to play football\u201d and accused the Arsenal of \u201cmaking their own rules\u201d.<\/p>\n
With the champions heading back to Brighton in the top flight this weekend, the spotlight will be fixed on the touchline to see if the spat lingers.<\/p>\n
Hurzeler refused to back down this week when quizzed on his comments from last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s very important that in football there are opinions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will definitely always share my opinion if I am asked. But, in the end, I congratulate Arsenal for being deserved champions. They deserved it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking on Friday, Arteta insisted there was no bad blood over Hurzeler\u2019s blast.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s all done. That\u2019s all in the past,\u201d the Arsenal manager told reporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have huge respect for Fabian, and what he\u2019s done and what Brighton has done as a club.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just remarkable, and tomorrow is going to be a beautiful game to watch, I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arsenal have made a flying start to their Premier League title defence, with four successive victories taking them to the top of the table.<\/p>\n
The north Londoners also won their opening Champions League match against Napoli and booked their place in the League Cup fourth round on Tuesday with a win at Ipswich.<\/p>\n
Teenage playmaker Max Dowman starred against Ipswich in his first appearance this season, scoring twice to underline why is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
The 16-year-old has made his case for a bigger role in Arteta\u2019s plans after being an unused substitute in the opening weeks.<\/p>\n
But asked if the teenager has been knocking on his door to play, Arteta said: \u201cThe best way to knock on the door is to do it on the pitch, not in the office.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen you just leave out the arguments. When a player delivers constantly on the pitch, every single day in training, that\u2019s the best way, that\u2019s the best signal for the manager.\u201d<\/p>\n
Including the Community Shield against Manchester City, Arsenal have won seven consecutive matches.<\/p>\n
Another victory on the south coast would equal the club\u2019s 123-year record for their best start to a campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know how complicated it is to win a football match at this level. So, to win seven, it tells a story,\u201d Arteta said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the World Cup, there were a lot of unknowns about how the players and the team were going to react. We didn\u2019t have any time with them to work together.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I said from day one, the attitude and what I was seeing, I was really impressed with. Then you have to put it down to performances.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arteta is yet to sign an contract extension, with talks ongoing for several months, but the Spaniard is relaxed over the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we are all very much aligned, whenever the time is right we\u2019ll get that done. There is nothing to be concerned about,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n