Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has issued a public apology following a controversial late incident involving Liverpool's injured defender Conor Bradley during Thursday night's Premier League clash.
The Injury-Time Flashpoint
The dramatic moment unfolded deep into stoppage time of the goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium. Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley, chasing a ball near the touchline, landed awkwardly and immediately clutched his knee, going to ground in clear distress.
With Arsenal eager to restart play quickly in search of a winning goal, Martinelli attempted to take a throw-in but was stopped. The Brazilian then dropped the ball near the prone Bradley before appearing to protest and subsequently shoving the defender in the back in an attempt to move him off the pitch.
The altercation sparked a melee between players from both sides. Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate received a yellow card for his involvement, while Martinelli was also booked by the referee for his actions. Bradley, who appeared to have suffered a serious knee injury, was eventually stretchered from the field.
Martinelli's Public Apology and Managerial Reactions
In the aftermath of the match, Gabriel Martinelli took to social media to express his regret. On his Instagram story, he wrote: "Conor and I have messaged and I've already apologised to him. I really didn't understand he was seriously injured in the heat of the moment. I want to say I'm deeply sorry for my reaction. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery."
The incident drew sharp criticism from pundits, most notably former Manchester United captain Roy Keane. During Sky Sports' coverage, Keane branded Martinelli's behaviour "an absolute disgrace." He elaborated: "Throwing the ball at him, standing over him and getting a little knee on him. He tries to force him off. That behaviour is an absolute disgrace."
However, both managers offered a more sympathetic view of the incident, attributing it to the high-pressure context of the match. Liverpool boss Arne Slot defended Martinelli, stating: "I don't know Gabriel Martinelli, but he comes across as a nice guy. I think the problem for him... is that there is so much time-wasting and players pretending that they are injured... that you can sometimes be annoyed."
Slot added, "You cannot ask Martinelli to think so clear in the 94th minute." He concluded that he was certain Martinelli would not have acted as he did had he known the severity of Bradley's injury.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also backed his player, insisting there was no malicious intent. "I don't know what happened to Conor, but hopefully it's not bad," said Arteta. "But obviously there is no intention from Gabi to do anything bad to him."
Fallout and Looking Ahead
The primary concern now shifts to the fitness of Conor Bradley, with fears the young Northern Ireland international may face a significant spell on the sidelines. The extent of his knee injury is yet to be fully confirmed by Liverpool's medical staff.
The draw itself had significant implications for the Premier League title race, with both Arsenal and Liverpool dropping two points in a tightly contested match. The incident, however, has dominated post-match discussion, overshadowing the tactical battle.
Martinelli's swift apology may help to draw a line under the controversy, but the images of the shove are likely to be replayed and debated in the days to come. The episode highlights the intense pressure and split-second decisions players face in the dying moments of crucial Premier League fixtures, where the line between gamesmanship and genuine injury can often become blurred.
