Gabriel Martinelli was booked after he attempted to force Conor Bradley back onto the pitch after the Liverpool defender sustained a suspected knee injury at the Emirates Stadium
10:31, 09 Jan 2026
Gabriel Martinelli was booked against Liverpool for an unsavoury incident late on.
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Gabriel Martinelli was booked against Liverpool for an unsavoury incident late on but Dermot Gallagher doesn't believe it warranted red.(Image: PA)
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes it was the right decision not to send off Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli against Liverpool. The Gunners winger sparked controversy after appearing to push Conor Bradley back onto the pitch following the full-back's suspected knee injury.
The incident saw Martinelli receive a yellow card before later issuing an apology, whilst defender Ibrahima Konate was also cautioned for his reaction to the Brazilian's conduct. The flashpoint occurred after Bradley went down injured whilst attempting to clear the ball in his own territory.
The Northern Ireland international suffered the setback in what appeared an innocuous moment, landing awkwardly without any challenge which required a stretcher to leave the Emirates Stadium and departed with his knee braced and using crutches.
Despite the furore, Gallagher doesn't anticipate any further disciplinary measures or suspensions for the Arsenal attacker.
He said: "If the players leave it alone, it's easier for the referee to deal with Martinelli. Once everyone else gets involved, it ramps up everything else.
"I think what Martinelli does gets diluted and in many ways, they have helped him stay on the field.
"I think not. He's been given a yellow card for his actions. If the players leave it to the referee, he's got a different landscape to deal with. When they all pile in, he's got to check everybody else.
"I think there's not quite enough there [for it to be a red card]."
The incident triggered a confrontation between both sets of players, with Konate and Alexis Mac Allister engaged in a heated exchange. In response to the event, Gary Neville and Roy Keane were both incensed by Martinelli's conduct.
Martinelli apologised after the incident in a post to his Instagram story in the early hours of Friday morning.
He said: "Conor and I have messaged and I've already apologised to him. I really didn't understand he was seriously injured in heat of the moment.
"I want to say I'm deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery."
Jay Bothroyd, who appeared alongside Gallagher on Sky Sports' ref watch, rejected Martinelli's apology, arguing that the outcome becomes secondary when a fellow professional lies injured on the pitch requiring medical attention.
He said: "Conor's obviously got a serious injury. Everyone can see that. These are the types of things that happen in a game where if I'm Conor Bradley, as much as he has come out and said sorry, I won't be forgetting that the next time we face each other.
"It's irrelevant if it's obvious or not. Yes, they are trying to win the game, I understand that. You don't put your hands on anyone on the football pitch.
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"You don't throw the ball at people or nudge them in the back. It's not okay to come out after and say 'I'm sorry.' In that moment, he was trying to react."