Gabriel Martinelli issues apology following confrontation with Conor Bradley
Gabriel Martinelli has issued a public apology following his confrontation with injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley during Thursday evening’s goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium, reports BritPanorama.
The incident occurred in the closing moments of the match, as Martinelli threw the ball at Bradley before physically pushing the defender while he lay on the ground. This altercation led to a yellow card for the Arsenal forward.
Bradley was subsequently stretchered off the pitch, leaving the stadium on crutches, with his left knee encased in a protective brace.
In reaction to the incident, Martinelli expressed remorse, stating, “Conor and I have messaged and I have already apologised to him.” He acknowledged that he did not fully grasp the severity of Bradley’s injury amid the game’s tension and emphasized his regret for how he reacted.
Furthermore, he wished the 22-year-old Northern Irish full-back a swift recovery, after Bradley had notably rattled the crossbar in a strong first half performance.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane publicly criticized Martinelli on Sky Sports, calling his actions “a disgrace.” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta defended his player, referring to him as “an incredible, lovely guy” who likely did not comprehend the situation at the time. “I hope that Conor is well, I will have a word with him to understand that,” Arteta noted.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot expressed serious concern for Bradley’s fitness, stating, “I fear the worst for Conor Bradley,” adding that scans would be necessary to assess the extent of the damage following his exit on a stretcher. Slot also showed understanding towards Martinelli, remarking that common time-wasting in football often leads players to question the sincerity of opponents’ injuries. “I’m a hundred per cent sure that if he knew what the injury might be, he would never do that,” Slot concluded.
The stalemate at the Emirates has broad implications for the title race, with Arsenal maintaining a six-point lead over Manchester City. In contrast, Liverpool now finds themselves trailing Arsenal by 14 points, complicating their pursuit of a fifth consecutive league title. The focus for both teams will shift to the FA Cup, which kicks off this weekend.
