'He doesn't care what people say about him," - Potter on Maupay's character after Arsenal ruckus

Graham Potter insists Brighton and Hove Albion striker Neal Maupay will be ready for LeicesterGraham Potter insists Brighton and Hove Albion striker Neal Maupay will be ready for Leicester
Graham Potter insists Brighton and Hove Albion striker Neal Maupay will be ready for Leicester
Albion head coach Graham Potter insists the controversy surrounding Neal Maupay after the Arsenal match will not bother the fiery striker ahead of Leicester.

Maupay scored a late winner against Arsenal last Saturday which angered the visiting players due to his involvement in Bernd Leno's first half injury.

The German goalkeeper received a nudge from Maupay and landed awkwardly and left the stadium on crutches with a suspected ACL problem.

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The visiting players turned on Maupay after the final whistle, with their midfielder Matteo Guendouzi grabbing Maupay by the throat.

Maupay, 23, apologised in his post interview but insisted he had no intention to injure Leno. He then had harsh words for the Arsenal players and accused them of "lacking humility."

Might the incident play on the mind of Albion's leading scorer, who also netted the winner against the Gunners at the Emirates last December? "I don’t think so,"said Potter. "No. Knowing Neal, knowing the type of person he is, the type of character he is.

"He doesn’t care too much about what people say about him, or what people think about him. He’s single minded, determined for himself, determined for the team. He wouldn’t go on to the pitch to hurt anybody but if he has something to say he’ll speak his mind, that’s how he is."

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Potter insists the incident is in the past and the entire squad has moved on and is fully focused with the task in hand at Leicester.

"It’s a Premier League match, both teams want to win. Both sets of players are fighting and Arsenal players are disappointed because they lost in the manner they did, and we can understand that.

"It’s an emotional game, at that point especially. So we said after the game we have to enjoy the moment, but then we have to move on, we have to prepare to play Leicester and that’s what our focus has been in the last couple of days."

The victory against Arsenal was a huge boost in Albion's battle to avoid the drop. They are now five points above the drop zone with eight matches remaining. Leicester however will be a stern test.

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They comfortably beat Brighton 2-0 at the Amex Stadium earlier this season and Potter is fully aware of the challenge that awaits.

Potter said, "They are a very good team, a very organised team, a very powerful side. Players that have won the Premier League, great experience. A mixture of that experience plus some younger players with not just potential but can effect the top end of the Premier League.

"At the moment they’re third and are there absolutely on merit, they can they can attack you in lots of ways. And defensively they're, you know really strong as well so they're a top team and Brendan’s done a fantastic job there."

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