A controversial incident involving Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli and Liverpool's injured defender Conor Bradley has ignited a fierce debate, with old footage resurfacing showing Gunners boss Mikel Arteta once did something similar to the Brazilian player.
The Heated On-Pitch Flashpoint
The drama unfolded during the closing stages of Arsenal's tense 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Thursday. Young Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley appeared to sustain a serious injury, collapsing to the turf. In a moment that triggered immediate outrage, Gabriel Martinelli dropped the ball onto the prone defender before physically hauling him in an attempt to move him off the pitch.
This action sparked a mass confrontation between players from both sides, with tensions boiling over on the field. The incident also drew sharp criticism from pundits, with Roy Keane and Gary Neville expressing their fury at Martinelli's conduct during the match's dying minutes.
Martinelli's Apology and a Striking Historical Parallel
To his credit, Martinelli moved swiftly to address the fallout. Taking to social media, the Arsenal star issued a public apology, revealing he had already been in contact with Bradley privately. "Conor and I have messaged and I have 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."
In a remarkable twist, footage from December 2021 has since recirculated, showing a parallel situation involving Martinelli himself. During a match against West Ham, an injured Martinelli went down on the sidelines and gestured for treatment. His manager, Mikel Arteta, was seen helping him up and ushering him back onto the pitch to force a stoppage in play. Arsenal went on to win that game 2-0.
A key difference noted was the severity of the injuries; while Martinelli's issue was minor, Bradley's was serious enough to eventually require him to be stretchered off the Anfield pitch.
Manager Reactions and the Time-Wasting Context
Both managers addressed the incident after the match, offering some context and understanding, if not outright justification. Arsenal's Mikel Arteta defended his player's character while explaining the likely thought process. "Knowing Gabi, he's an incredible, lovely guy, and he probably didn't realise what happened," Arteta stated. "I hope that Conor is well, I will have a word with him to understand that. Probably (Martinelli) didn't recognise what happened."
Liverpool boss Arne Slot also refused to vilify Martinelli, instead pointing to a broader issue within modern football. "I don't know Gabriel Martinelli but he comes across as a nice guy," Slot said. "The problem in general in football is that there's so much time-wasting and players pretending to be injured, that you can be annoyed that you think a player is 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."
The incident highlights the fine line players tread in high-stakes matches between gamesmanship, frustration at perceived time-wasting, and the paramount need for player safety. While Martinelli's apology has been accepted, the discussion around the pressures and ethics in crucial Premier League moments continues.
