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.