David Awopetu
Brighton and Hove Albion beat Arsenal 2-1 at the death on Saturday evening following a 95th minute goal from Neal Maupay.
Maupay was a controversial hero as relegation-threatened Brighton came from behind to earn a 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Amex Stadium.
Maupay was at the centre of a grim first-half incident, where a coming together with Bernd Leno resulted in the Arsenal goalkeeper suffering a serious-looking knee injury.
Nicolas Pepe had fired the Gunners into a deserved lead with a superb curling shot with just over 20 minutes to go, but Lewis Dunk scrambled an equaliser over the line from close range to set up a storming finish.
Maupay’s winner was a sucker punch to the Gunners, who have now lost back-to-back games since the Premier League returned – results that surely make a late run to Champions League qualification looking highly unlikely.
They may also have to do without the services of goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who was stretchered off after landing awkwardly on his ankle in the first half.
He joins defender Pablo Mari and midfielder Granit Xhaka on the sidelines, both of whom were injured in Wednesday’s 3-0 loss at Manchester City.
Arsenal stay two point behind Tottenham while Brighton stay in 15th position, five points clear of the bottom three.
