Arsenal’s Matteo Guendouzi grabs Brighton’s Neal Maupay by the throat

Matteo Guendouzi could land himself in hot water with the FA after appearing to grab Brighton striker Neal Maupay by the throat immediately after Arsenal‘s defeat at the AMEX Stadium.

In a 2-1 victory for the Seagulls, Maupay had scored the winning goal in stoppage time for the Premier League strugglers having earlier been involved in a collision with Bernd Leno which led to the Arsenal goalkeeper going off injured.

Frustrations boiled over for the Gunners at the end of the encounter, with Guendouzi appearing to raise his hand to Brighton forward’s neck, resulting in him going to ground.

Arsenal’s Matteo Guendouzi appears to grab Brighton’s Neal Maupay by the throat

The incident at full-time immediately saw the Brighton forward react by going to ground

Although Maupay quickly got back to his feet, he was quickly confronted by Guendouzi’s team-mates before players from both sides came together to try and prevent the issue from escalating further. 

During the aftermath, referee Martin Atkinson directed Guendouzi towards the tunnel while Maupay was held back before he was again verbally confronted, this time by Arsenal full-back Sead Kolasinac.

Guendouzi appeared to be provoked in being called back to the pitch but the feud eventually simmered on field following another frustrating day at the office for the Gunners.

Arsenal went into the game off the back of a heavy 3-0 defeat at Manchester City in their first game for over three months following the coronavirus outbreak.

Brighton’s Maupay went to ground after being confronted by Arsenal’s Guendouzi

Although the incident happened in front of referee Martin Atkinson, no cards were handed out

Brighton players intervene to ensure Maupay (left) and Guendouzi are kept apart

The duo had endured a verbal spat throughout the encounter at the AMEX Stadium

Despite Leno’s early injury, they took the lead in the second half courtesy of Nicolas Pepe in the 68th minute only to be pegged back by a Lewis Dunk effort 15 minutes from time.

Maupay’s last gasp strike completed the turnaround for the Baggies on their return to Premier League action which takes them to 32 points after 30 games in 15th spot and hands them a massive boost in the battle against relegation.

A second defeat in a week for Mikel Arteta’s side however means they remain ninth, and eight points behind Chelsea in what is currently the final spot for a Champions League place, leaving them with a huge uphill battle to return to Europe’s top table next term. 

Maupay had earlier in the game clashed with Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno in a battle for the ball

The resulting collision led to the Arsenal goalkeeper picking up an injury and going off injured