Brighton & Hove Albion striker Neal Maupay felt opponents Arsenal “got what they deserved” after they threw away a one-goal lead to give Brighton all three points. Maupay scored a 95th-minute winner after Lewis Dunk had equalised from Nicolas Pepe’s opener, but he also had a hand in Gunners goalkeeper Bernd Leno being stretchered off with a horrific knee injury.
Arsenal ‘Got What They Deserved’ Says Neal Maupay
Incident With Leno
Arsenal’s players were already unhappy with Maupay after his role in Leno getting injured. The Frenchman chased down a long ball and nudged into Leno as he claimed it. This caused the German stopper to land awkwardly and he looked to hyper-extend his knee.
As he was carried off the pitch, Leno could be seen pointing angrily at Maupay as the striker protested his innocence. Midfielder Matteo Guendouzi also had to be separated from Maupay as tempers boiled over at full time.
Neal Maupay Silences Gunners
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Maupay got on the end of an excellent reverse pass before neatly lifting it over substitute goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
After the game, Maupay maintained that he did mean to hurt Leno, but had little sympathy for the rest of the Arsenal players.
He told reporters: “At half-time I went to the manager Mikel Arteta to apologise. I never meant to injure the keeper. I jumped for the ball. I apologise to the team and to him as well. I have been through a bad injury, it is hard.
“Arsenal players maybe need to learn humility sometimes. They were talking a lot. They got what they deserved.
“I just went to get the ball really. When he landed he twisted his knee. It is football, there is contact. I never meant to hurt him. I apologise again and wish him a speedy recovery.”
Poor Restart for Arsenal But Big Win for Brighton
This defeat coupled with the 3-0 thumping at Manchester City on Wednesday leaves Arsenal ninth in the table. On paper, it could be worse. However, Southampton in 13th are only three points behind and they looked dangerous in their win over Norwich City. Incidentally, a trip to face the Saints is next on the agenda for Arsenal. A defeat there could really pile the pressure on Mikel Arteta and, depending on results elsewhere, might see Arsenal drop into the bottom half.
For Brighton, this is a massive win considering West Ham United lost in their first game back and Watford could only draw. Success puts them 15th in the table, three points shy of Newcastle United. More performances of a similar ilk could see Graham Potter’s side survive comfortably, but it will also depend on the results and performances of those around them.
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