Arsenal blow as Matteo Guendouzi faces retrospective three-match ban for grabbing Maupay by throat

MATTEO GUENDOUZI faces a retrospective three-match ban after throttling Brighton striker Neal Maupay.

Arsenal’s French midfielder was filmed grabbing Maupay around the throat and hurling him to the ground at the end of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at The Amex.

Now the FA will wait to receive referee Martin Atkinson’s report before deciding whether to refer the incident to its three-man video review panel.

SunSport’s ref expert Mark Halsey believes Guendouzi “could be in trouble” for violent conduct.

Atkinson was only a couple of yards away when frustrated Guendouzi lashed out after the final whistle.

But he did not take any action for what would appear to be a clear red-card offence.

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It is likely he will claim his view was obscured by the melee surrounding Guendouzi.

That would clear the way for the FA to invite the review panel to study the footage and almost certainly recommend a three-match suspension.

That would rule the Frenchman out of Thursday’s trip to Southampton, Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Sheffield United and the home game with Norwich on Wednesday July 1.

Maupay angered Arsenal players after his first-half challenge on Bernd Leno led to the Arsenal keeper being carried off with a nasty-looking knee injury.

Leno left the stadium wearing a brace and using crutches and will be fully assessed in the coming days.

Back-up Emiliano Martinez said: “We’re really close — it is devastating.

"If he needs the rest of the season, me and Matt Macey will try to do a good job.”