Fabian Hurzeler will continue to ‘trust the process’ as he attempts to end Brighton’s dismal run against Arsenal on Saturday.
The Seagulls have slipped to 10th in the Premier League table after a seven-game winless streak, with their last victory coming at Bournemouth in November.
Hurzeler got off to a good start after taking over from Roberto Di Zerbi in the Brighton hot seat, but has found life more difficult of late. However, he remains convinced that better times are to come.
He said: “I think you can’t compare situations in football because they are very different, things happen for different reasons but in the end you have the experience and that helps you and guides you about how to behave in these situations, how to get back to results.
“We are just trying to continue our work because we think we are on the right track, we are capable of beating everyone, we have shown it in the last matches that despite the bad results we have achieved very good performance, that’s what I always say – trust the process. We’re on the right track.
“If we don’t play with intensity and courage, we don’t have a chance.”
Fabian Hürzeler on what his Brighton team must do to get a result against Arsenal 🔴pic.twitter.com/mDG5KXDljk
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 2, 2025
Tricky test against in-form Arsenal
A home game with an Arsenal side unbeaten since November 6 is probably not the game Hurzeler would have chosen to start the new year and the Texas-born boss admits his side will have to do their best to trouble the Gunners.
“[We need] pushing our limits in every phase of the game, continuing to play with courage, continuing to play with intensity,” he added.
“That’s what we showed in the last few games and, of course, the results weren’t as good, but we showed good performances and showed that we are capable of beating every team in this league.
“It is very important that we play with our identity. If we don’t play with intensity, we don’t have a chance. If we don’t play with courage, we don’t have a chance.
“Those two things are the main thing and another part of the game is set pieces. When you see how much danger they can create on set pieces, we have to take care of them too.
Welbeck still a concern for Hurzeler
Brighton will have Adam Webster available again while young midfielder Jack Hinshelwood could also return to contention.
Hurzeler, however, was less sure about Danny Welbeck’s return date.
“I can’t say a clear timetable for when he will come back – it could be next week, it could be quick, but it could also be two, three, four more weeks – so we really have to take it day by day. “, he said.
“He’s not feeling any pain so that’s definitely a good thing and he’s back on the field, but then we really have to take it day by day and hopefully he’ll be back soon.”
