Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal crosses the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 08, 2026 in London, England.placeholder image
Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal crosses the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 08, 2026 in London, England. | Getty Images
Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has been heavily criticised for pushing an injury Conor Bradley off the pitch during Liverpool’s 0-0 draw in North London
Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has released a statement on his Instagram as he apologised to Liverpool defender Conor Bradley following an unsavoury incident in North London on Thursday night.
The Reds frustrated the Premier League leaders as they held the Gunners to a 0-0 draw. In stoppage time, Bradley cleared the ball out for a throw in and landed awkwardly as he appeared to suffer a serious knee injury.
Martinelli went to play on but with Bradley down injured he dropped the ball on the Northern Ireland international before then putting his hands on him to try and remove him from the pitch.
Ibrahima Konate shoved the Arsenal forward away and was in turn booked. Martinelli was also shown a red card.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot offered a diplomatic response after the game as he said: "I don't know Gabriel Martinelli, but he comes across as a nice guy.
"I think the problem for him - and it's a problem in general in football - is that there is so much time-wasting and players pretending that they are injured in the final parts of the game and during the game, that you can sometimes be annoyed if you want to try to score a goal that you think the player is time-wasting.
"You cannot ask Martinelli to think so clear in the 94th minute."
"I really didn't understand he was seriously injured in the heat of the moment," Martinelli posted on Instagram as he apologised to the Liverpool man.
"I want to say I'm deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery."
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