A late Neal Maupay goal condemned Arsenal to a second straight defeat as Brighton came from behind to beat the Gunners 2-1 at the AMEX stadium to boost their survival hopes.

The Gunners had taken the lead through a sublime Nicolas Pepe’s effort but the Seagulls struck back through captain Lewis Dunk’s scrambled effort and Maupay’s late, late winner.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta saw his injury woes worsened after Bernd Leno was stretched off in the first half with a horrific leg injury and it was his replacement Emiliano Martinez who was in goal for Brighton’s goals.

After not losing any of his first seven away games, Arteta has now suffered back-to-back defeat on the road following Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat at Manchester City.

A more pressing concern for the Spaniard will be the health of his squad after Leno became the latest to be crocked following Granit Xhaka and Pauolo Mari who both picked up injuries in the defeat at City.

A dreary first half exploded after the interval with Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang finding the net but his effort was ruled out by the VAR for a marginal offside.

The Gunners were not to be denied minutes later, when record-signing Pepe received a pass from Nigeria-eligible Bukayo Saka to bend an unstoppable effort past Matthew Ryan in Brighton’s goal in the 68th minute.

Graham Potters’ side rallied and were level seven minutes later when Dunk bundled home from a set piece.

With the game heading to a draw, Maupay collected a pass from Aaron Connolly to beat Martinez and send the Seagulls flying past the Gunners.

The win gives Brighton a bit of breathing space as the move five points clear of relegation to 15th on the log.

Arsenal’s faint Champions League hopes are all but over with the 9th-placed Gunners who have a tough run-in now six points points off 5th-placed Manchester United who occupy the final Champions League spot as things stand with Manchester City currently suspended from European competition.