Neal Maupay reveals he apologised to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta at half-time after colliding with Bernd Leno.
However, the former Brentford striker insists the Gunners ‘got what they deserved’ after his late winner condemned them to their second defeat since ‘Project Restart’.
Brighton claimed a 2-1 victory at the Amex Stadium after coming from behind to snatch all three points at the death.
Record signing Nicolas Pepe scored a sensational curling effort to give the visitors the lead in the second half.
Yet Lewis Dunk poked home from a short corner to draw parity on the contest, before Maupay snuck in to dink the winner over replacement keeper Emiliano Martinez.
The Argentine was brought on after Maupay ran into Bernd Leno, with the German stretchered off in agony and then gesticulating to the Frenchman as he left the pitch.
But Maupay insists he never meant to hurt the goalkeeper in the challenge.
He told BT Sport: “At half time I went to the manager Mikel Arteta to apologise. I never meant to injure the keeper. I jumped for the ball. I apologise to the team and to him as well. I have been through a bad injury, it is hard.
“Arsenal players maybe need to learn humility sometimes. They were talking a lot. They got what they deserved.
“I just went to get the ball really. When he landed he twisted his knee. It is football, there is contact. I never meant to hurt him. I apologise again and wish him a speedy recovery.”
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After Watford claimed a vital point at home to Leicester City, the pressure was on the Seagulls.
But summer signing Maupay, who bagged his ninth of the season, believes grabbing the first of many three points is the target for the remainder of the season.
“It is just a win, we have eight games to go – some very big games,” he added. “Anything can happen and we need to stay focus.
“It is a good start, we are really happy but we need to get straight back in tomorrow to focus on the next game.”
