Conor Bradley suffered a serious injury late in the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Liverpool, during an incident in which Gabriel Martinelli attempted to move him off the pitch
Bruna Reis
06:34, 09 Jan 2026Updated 06:35, 09 Jan 2026
Conor Bradley, Gabriel Martinelli
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Gabriel Martinelli has now apologised to Conor Bradley(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has issued an apology to Conor Bradley after his reaction to the defender collapsing on the pitch. Martinelli threw the ball at the Liverpool defender, who was clearly in distress, and then attempted to drag him off the field so play could resume.
The incident sparked fury among Liverpool's players, who immediately recognised the seriousness of Bradley's injury. Their protests led to heated scenes, with both Martinelli and Ibrahima Konate receiving yellow cards.
The Liverpool defender suffered a serious looking knee injury at the end of their stalemate with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville called it a 'disgrace', saying: "I'm fuming with Martinelli.
"I don't know how Liverpool players didn't go over to absolutely whack him to be honest with you."
Neville's former United teammate Roy Keane added: "I didn't like it at all. It happened to me once.
"I was badly injured and a player stood over me. It's not good. We know football, the player is a good lad.
Gabriel Martinelli, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai
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Liverpool players' reaction towards Gabriel Martinelli(Image: Getty Images)
"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. He's a good boy to roll over himself. Hopefully, Martinelli will have a look at it and hopefully, he'll apologise for it. Not good stuff that."
Posting on his Instagram story, Martinelli apologised and stressed that he hadn't realised Bradley was seriously injured. "Conor and I have messaged and I've already apologised to him," the Brazilian wrote.
"I really didn't understand he was seriously injured in the heat of the moment.
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Gabriel Martinelli
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Gabriel Martinelli's message on Instagram
"I want to say I'm deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery," followed by a prayer emoji.
Bradley then had to be helped out of the stadium by Liverpool members of staff but he looked in obvious pain on crutches and in a special knee brace.