Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has apologised after a controversial moment involving injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley overshadowed Thursday night’s 0-0 Premier League draw at the Emirates Stadium.
The incident occurred deep into stoppage time when Bradley, chasing the ball near the touchline, landed awkwardly and immediately clutched his knee in visible distress.
As the Liverpool full-back lay on the ground, Martinelli dropped the ball near him before attempting to push him off the pitch, apparently hoping to restart play quickly as Arsenal searched for a late winner.
Martinelli’s actions triggered a heated confrontation between players from both sides, resulting in yellow cards for the Brazilian winger and Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konaté.
Bradley required lengthy treatment and was eventually taken off on a stretcher. He was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches with a knee brace, raising concerns over the severity of his injury.
The episode drew fierce criticism from former Manchester United players Gary Neville and Roy Keane, who were both working as pundits.
Neville described Martinelli’s behaviour as “absolutely disgraceful,” while Keane said he was surprised Liverpool players had not reacted more strongly in defence of their team-mate.
Following the backlash, Martinelli issued a public apology on social media, explaining that he did not understand the seriousness of Bradley’s injury in the heat of the moment. He added that he had already contacted the Liverpool defender directly and wished him a swift recovery.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot offered a more measured response, suggesting the wider issue of time-wasting in modern football may have influenced Martinelli’s reaction.
Slot said he was confident the Arsenal winger would never have acted that way had he known the extent of the injury, while also acknowledging the frustration players feel late in matches when they suspect opponents are feigning injury.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta echoed those sentiments, describing Martinelli as an “incredible, lovely guy” and insisting there was no malicious intent. Arteta said he hoped Bradley’s injury was not serious and stressed that player welfare must always come first.
Bradley’s team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai rejected any suggestion of time-wasting, stating the defender was in too much pain to consider delaying the game. He emphasised that a player’s health should always outweigh the importance of any result.
While the match ended goalless, the incident ensured it will be remembered for reasons beyond the football.
Martinelli’s apology has helped ease tensions, but the moment has reignited debate about sportsmanship, player safety, and how referees manage stoppages late in high-pressure matches.
