Brighton & Hove Albion have boosted their survival hopes by shocking Arsenal this afternoon with a 2-1 home victory and Ireland's Aaron Connolly set up the winner.
The Gunners were subjected to their second defeat in four days and suffered a major blow to their Champions League ambitions.
Irish forward Aaron Connolly entered the fray as a 71st minute substitute. It was his deft flick which put Neal Maupay through to lift the ball into the Arsenal net in the 95th minute to win the match.
The encounter was not without controversy.
Late in the first half match-winner, Neal Maupay was involved in a collision with Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno who was stretchered from the pitch.
He confronted the Brighton-man following the challenge.
Arsenal's goalkeeper Bernd Leno gestures at Brighton's Neal Maupay as he leaves the pitch on a stretcher after getting injured during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal at the AMEX Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Mike Hewitt/Pool via AP)The Frenchman was surrounded by Arsenal players after the full-time whistle.
Brighton's Adam Webster, center, gets between Brighton's Neal Maupay, center left, and Arsenal's Matteo Guendouzi during an argument at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal at the AMEX Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Richard Heathcote/Pool via AP)Arsenal are now left to pick up the pieces after two disappointing results before facing Southhampton on Thursday night.
Brighton players celebrate after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal at the AMEX Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Gareth Fuller/Pool via AP)The London-side led after a splendid finish from big-money summer signing Pepe in the 68th minute.
Arteta's quickly surrendered that lead as a scrappy Brighton equaliser was forced over the line by Lewis Dunk just seven minutes later.
German star Mesut Ozil was on the bench for Arsenal, after being left out of the matchday squad for their trip to Manchester City - but was not one of the five subs used by the Arsenal boss.
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