Arteta backs Martinelli after late injury incident sparks Arsenal - Liverpool storm

The Premier League clash between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium ended without a winner, but attention quickly shifted away from the scoreline after a controversial moment involving Gabriel Martinelli and injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley.

In stoppage time, with Arsenal pushing desperately for a decisive goal, Martinelli appeared to try and usher Bradley off the pitch after the full back went down holding his knee. The incident immediately sparked outrage, with former players and commentators questioning the winger’s judgment. Gary Neville was particularly scathing in his assessment, while Roy Keane also criticized the Arsenal forward for his reaction in a tense moment.

Despite the backlash, both managers involved were quick to defend Martinelli, stressing context rather than intent. Mikel Arteta insisted his player did not realize the severity of Bradley’s injury and described Martinelli as someone whose character does not align with deliberate unsporting behavior. According to Arteta, the situation unfolded too quickly for Martinelli to fully understand what had happened, especially given the emotional intensity of the closing stages.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot echoed a similar sentiment, pointing to a wider issue within modern football. Slot suggested that increasing incidents of time-wasting late in matches have created a climate of suspicion among players. In his view, Martinelli may have assumed Bradley was delaying the restart rather than suffering a genuine injury, something Slot admitted does not reflect well visually but is understandable within the current state of the game.

The Liverpool manager confirmed Bradley will undergo further medical assessment, adding that early signs were concerning. The defender had been one of Liverpool’s standout performers, coming close to scoring in the first half with a powerful effort that rattled the crossbar. Liverpool’s disciplined display extended their unbeaten run to ten matches across all competitions and denied Arsenal the chance to strengthen their grip on top spot.

Martinelli later took responsibility for the incident, issuing a public apology and confirming he had personally contacted Bradley. He expressed regret for his actions and wished the Liverpool defender a swift recovery, acknowledging that emotions got the better of him in a high pressure situation.

Beyond the controversy, Arteta reflected on Arsenal’s broader performance, admitting frustration at failing to capitalize on dropped points by rivals earlier in the week. However, he praised his squad’s resilience and consistency during a period affected by injuries and scheduling challenges, emphasizing that their current league position reflects sustained effort rather than isolated results.

While debate around the incident is likely to continue, both clubs appear keen to move on, focusing instead on upcoming fixtures as the title race and top four battle intensify.