Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has publicly apologised to Liverpool defender Conor Bradley following a contentious stoppage-time incident during a tense Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium. The goalless draw was overshadowed by the late flashpoint, which sparked widespread criticism from football pundits and fans alike.
The Controversial Incident and Immediate Fallout
The dramatic moment unfolded deep into added time. Liverpool's Conor Bradley landed awkwardly while making a defensive clearance near the touchline and remained on the ground in clear distress. As Bradley lay injured, Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli attempted to restart play quickly by dropping the ball on the prone defender and then pushing him off the pitch. The Brazilian winger received a yellow card for his actions.
The aftermath saw Bradley leave the stadium on crutches with his knee in a brace, raising immediate concerns about a potential serious injury. The incident did not sit well with several high-profile football analysts. On Sky Sports, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane called Martinelli's conduct "a disgrace," while Gary Neville described it as "absolutely disgraceful." Their comments reflected the intense backlash that spread across social media after the final whistle.
Martinelli's Public Apology and Managerial Defence
Responding to the fierce criticism, Gabriel Martinelli took to Instagram to issue a heartfelt apology. He revealed that he had already reached out to Bradley privately to express his regret. "Conor and I have messaged and I've already apologised to him," Martinelli wrote. "I really didn't understand he was seriously injured in the heat of the moment. I want to say I'm deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery."
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta swiftly came to his player's defence, staunchly arguing that there was no malicious intent behind the act. "Knowing Gabi, there's zero intention," Arteta stated. "Probably he doesn't know [Bradley is injured]. He's an incredible, lovely guy and would never do that if he knew the situation."
Liverpool's Response and Match Context
Liverpool's head coach, Arne Slot, echoed Arteta's sentiment regarding Martinelli's lack of intent, while simultaneously expressing significant worry over his player's condition. "Let's hope for the best, but I fear the worst for Conor Bradley," Slot admitted. He added, "You cannot expect Martinelli to think so clearly in the 94th minute. I'm 100 percent sure that if he knew what the injury might be, he would never do that."
However, Slot also confessed his unease at seeing an injured player being moved. "I didn't like to see one of my players being moved out of the pitch if he might have such a big injury," he noted.
On the pitch, the match itself finished 0-0. This result marked Arsenal's first failure to score at home this season. Despite the blank, the point was enough for the Gunners to extend their lead at the summit of the Premier League table to six points over champions Manchester City, adding a significant strategic layer to the fiercely contested fixture.
