LONDON: Neal Maupay surprised Arsenal as he netted a vital stoppage time winner for Brighton with a 2-1 win on Saturday.
In the first full weekend of English Premier League matches since the coronavirus shutdown in March, Arsenal’s faint chances of a return to the Champions League next season faded further after blowing a 1-0 lead.
The Gunners’ cause wasn’t helped by an injury to goalkeeper Bernd Leno, whose screams echoed round the empty Amex Stadium after an awkward fall provoked by a slight push by Maupay.
The German twisted his knee and pointed the finger angrily at Maupay as he was stretchered from the field.
“I think he had a hyperextension of the knee and we have to assess the damage,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Nicolas Pepe put the visitors ahead in the 68th minute with a superb strike.
But Arsenal’s defensive frailties were exposed seven minutes later when Brighton defender Lewis Dunk stabbed home from close-range.
Adding insult to injury for Arsenal, deep into stoppage-time Aaron Connolly helped the ball on to Maupay and he kept his head for a fine finish.
Maupay and Matteo Guendouzi then had to be separated at full-time as tempers flared.
“Some of their players need to learn what is humility, especially one of them. He was talking all game, he was saying bad things,” said Maupay. “This is what happens when you talk too much on the pitch.”
Arteta’s side are languishing in 10th place, eight points adrift of the top four, and may not even qualify for the Europa League.
