Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta leapt to his players’ defence after Brighton striker Neal Maupay accused them of arrogance following a bad-tempered clash at the Amex Stadium.
The French striker emerged as the Seagulls’ match-winner, scoring a stoppage time winner to ease their relegation fears after Lewis Dunk equalised Nicolas Pepe’s sumptuous opener.
But the clash – and Maupay in particular – was submerged in controversy after Gunners keeper Bernd Leno was taken off on a stretcher with a serious knee ligament injury following a contentious mid-air collision with the Brighton striker.
Leno was clearly furious with Maupay – who revealed he apologised to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta at half-time – as he was carried off, angrily gesturing towards the Brighton star.
During the game Matteo Guendouzi was caught throwing an arm at Maupay which could leave the Arsenal midfielder facing retrospective action from the FA before the pair angrily clashed again during a mass confrontation between both sets of players after the final whistle.
The ugly scenes could leave both clubs in breach of the Premier League’s Covid-19 safety protocols that prohibit mass gatherings, like the one at full-time.
Maupay said: ‘I think the Arsenal players need to learn humility sometimes
They have been talking a lot in the first half and in the second half when they were 1-0 up – they got what they deserved.
‘I don’t think it (Leno’s reaction) was justified. At half time I went to apologise to Mikel Arteta I never meant to injure their keeper.
‘I just jumped to get the ball and when he landed he tweaked his knee. I apologise to the team and him as well. I never meant to hurt him.’
But in response to Maupay’s comments, Gunners boss Arteta said: ‘He can say whether he wants but I know my players and one aspect they don’t lack is humility.’
Nevertheless, Leno is now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines amid fears he will miss the rest of the season, if not longer, with knee ligament damage.
But Arteta admonished Maupay of any fault, saying: ‘I believe no player has the intention to hurt anybody and I believe exactly the same in this case.
‘It was unfortunate. Yes, Bernd’s injury doesn’t look good, we have to assess it but things can happen on a football pitch. He was in a lot of pain.’