Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has publicly defended his player Gabriel Martinelli following a controversial incident involving Liverpool's injured full-back Conor Bradley during a goalless Premier League draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Controversy Mars Stalemate
The flashpoint occurred deep into stoppage time on Friday 9 January 2026. Liverpool defender Conor Bradley fell awkwardly near the touchline and was in clear discomfort. Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli subsequently dropped the ball onto the prone player and then attempted to move him off the pitch, sparking a furious reaction from Liverpool's team.
The match, which had been notably short on clear chances, suddenly erupted. Both Martinelli and Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate received yellow cards in the ensuing confrontation. Bradley's injury appeared serious, and he was eventually carried from the pitch on a stretcher, later leaving the ground on crutches with his left knee in a support.
Managerial Reactions Post-Match
Facing questions after the match, Mikel Arteta appealed for understanding for his Brazilian winger. "Knowing Gabi, he’s an incredible, lovely guy," Arteta stated. "He probably didn’t realise what happened. I hope that Conor is well, I will have a word with him to understand that. Probably (Martinelli) didn’t recognise what happened."
His comments came after Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane labelled Martinelli's actions "a disgrace" during live coverage.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot expressed grave concern for Bradley's condition. "I fear the worst for Conor Bradley," a downcast Slot admitted. "I don’t know yet but he had to go off on a stretcher. We’ll have to wait on the scans to see if it’s that bad."
On the incident itself, Slot offered a measured perspective: "I don’t know Gabriel Martinelli but he comes across as a nice guy. The problem in general in football is that there’s so much time wasting... You cannot expect Martinelli to think so clearly in the 94th minute. I’m a hundred per cent sure that if he knew what the injury might be, he would never do that."
Match Analysis and League Implications
On the pitch, Arsenal controlled the first half but failed to seriously test Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. The best opportunity of the opening period fell to Bradley, who struck the crossbar following a miscommunication between Arsenal's David Raya and William Saliba.
Liverpool improved after the interval, dominating possession in Arsenal's half, but a winning goal never seemed likely for either side. The 0-0 result means Arsenal maintain a six-point lead at the Premier League summit, after rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa also drew their midweek fixtures.
When asked if it was a missed opportunity to extend their lead, Arteta replied: "Yes, every time you don’t win. But then we would be 12, 15, 20 points ahead. I have to really praise the team and the players individually for what they’ve done in this Christmas period. The demands and the schedule, it’s unbelievable. What they’ve done is remarkable."
