Second half goals from Lewis Dunk and Neal Maupay sent Brighton on their way to vital 2-1 win over Arsenal to move five points clear of the relegation zone.

Arsenal had taken the lead through Nicolas Pepe in the 68th minute, the defeat now leaves them struggling to reach European competition for next season.

Arsenal created the first chance of the game, Matteo Guendouzi played Pepe through down the right who sent the ball into the box in search of captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabonese striker tried an acrobatic strike towards goal but he couldn’t direct the ball on target and the danger was cleared.

The Gunners’ top goalscorer was handed a brilliant opportunity following a misplaced pass from Adam Webster at the heart of the Brighton defence but the forward hit his effort wide of the target.

The visitors’ early dominance continued and youngster Bukayo Saka nearly gave his side the lead, only to be denied by the crossbar after the referee played an advantage for a foul on striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Brighton’s first chance of the game came after great work from Aaron Mooy who worked it past Guendouzi to send Maupay down the right flank, the Seagulls striker sent it low goalwards across the six-yard box but Bernd Leno reacted well to make a comfortable save.

The first yellow card of the came was for Dan Burn, who made a late challenge on Pepe who reached the ball before the Brighton full back.

It didn’t take long for Mikel Arteta’s side to carve out another opportunity, great work by Saka on the left found Lacazette in the box but the Frenchman’s diving header was superbly saved by Matt Ryan in the Brighton goal.

Ten minutes before the break, Arsenal keeper Leno was forced off with a serious looking injury after an innocuous incident with Brighton striker Maupay.

Substitute goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was straight into action providing a great low save after a fierce strike from midfielder Mooy just outside of the box.

Arsenal’s quality continued to show towards half time, smart work form Lacazette played Aubameyang through but Webster was there to make a vital intervention to prevent the Gunners taking a 1-0 lead heading into half time.

Maupay had the best chance in the early moments of the first half, being well found at the back post but Martinez was there to provide a fine save from close range.

It took until the 68th minute for the visitors to make their pressure count, summer signing Pepe firing a fine strike into the top corner after finding space on the right flank.

Just seven minutes later, Brighton got an equaliser through Dunk after a well worked corner from Solly March.  The ball fell to the Seagulls defender from close-range to find a leveller for Graham Potter’s side.

The drama came in the final minute when Maupay stabbed home from close-range to help his side complete the league double over Arsenal.

The Gunners are next in action on Thursday against Southampton at St Mary’s, while the Seagulls face a trip to Leicester City on Tuesday evening.