Arsenal star Guendouzi somehow escapes three match ban and will NOT be charged after grabbing Brighton’s Maupay by neck

ARSENAL star Matteo Guendouzi has somehow escaped a three-match ban for grabbing Brighton's Neal Maupay around the neck.

The French midfielder, 21, was filmed throttling the Seagulls ace at the end of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at The Amex.

An FA statement read: "Matteo Guendouzi’s conduct during this incident was not seen by the match officials at the time, but it was subsequently reviewed by the VAR, so he will face no further action."

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Referee Martin 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 appeared at the time to be a clear red-card offence.

Both clubs were reminded of their responsibilities following a feisty end to the clash - which was Arsenal's second straight defeat since the season resumed.

Goalkeeper Bernd Leno was also taken off on a stretcher after a sickening collision with Maupay near the end of the first half.

That appeared to light a fire in Guendouzi and the Gunners star was fuming throughout the rest of the match.

The tension boiled over at the final whistle, with Guendouzi going for Maupay - who scored the winner five minutes into injury time - as a mass confrontation took place on the pitch.

Albion striker Maupay said after the game: "Some of the Arsenal players need to learn humility maybe sometimes. They were talking a lot, particularly one of them.

"I'm sorry about what happened to Bernd Leno, I never meant to hurt him. I wish him a speedy recovery."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta now fears he could be without No 1 Leno for a year after he appeared to suffer a cruciate ligament injury.

Reports have claimed Arsenal's preparations for the season's restart were thrown into chaos after one player tested positive for coronavirus.