Martinelli Apologises After Pushing Injured Bradley
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli has issued an apology following a controversial clash with Liverpool’s Conor Bradley during their 0-0 draw on Thursday, 8 January.
In stoppage time, Conor Bradley suffered a serious knee injury near the touchline. Believing the Reds defender was time-wasting, Martinelli threw the ball at, then shoved him while he was on the ground, sparking a pitch-side melee.
While pundits Gary Neville and Roy Keane branded the 24-year-old winger an “idiot” for his “absolutely disgraceful” behaviour, managers from both sides offered a more measured perspective.
Liverpool’s Arne Slot suggested the sport’s culture of feigning injury influenced the reaction, stating: “I’m 100 per cent sure if he knew what the injury might be, he wouldn’t do that.”
Mikel Arteta agreed, noting there was “zero intention” from the Gunners star to cause harm.
Martinelli later apologised via Instagram, admitting he did not realise the severity of the injury. Bradley was eventually taken off on a stretcher and later seen on crutches. Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai defended his teammate’s distress, saying: “I think the health of a player is much more important than something else.”
The Football Association may still take retrospective action for violent conduct.
Image Credit: Source
