Martinelli apologises after flashpoint mars Arsenal Liverpool draw
Gabriel Martinelli issued a swift apology after a heated late incident involving Liverpool defender Conor Bradley overshadowed Arsenal’s goalless Premier League draw at the Emirates Stadium.
The Arsenal winger was involved in an ugly flashpoint late in the contest when Bradley went down injured, prompting an angry reaction from players on both sides as tensions flared during Arsenal’s push for a dramatic winner.
Bradley suffered a knee injury after clearing the ball under pressure, collapsing in visible pain near the touchline. With the clock running down and Arsenal chasing a decisive goal, Martinelli moved toward the defender and attempted to pull him off the pitch, triggering an immediate confrontation.
The moment sparked a brief melee, with Liverpool players rushing to protect their teammate and officials stepping in to restore order. Yellow cards were issued as tempers boiled over, while Bradley eventually required a stretcher and was taken off with his shirt covering his face.
The incident quickly became a major talking point given the stakes of the match. Arsenal entered the game top of the table and desperate to extend their lead, while Liverpool were fighting to maintain momentum in the Champions League race. In such moments, emotions often run high, and this clash proved costly in optics if not on the scoreboard.
Inside the Emirates, the atmosphere had been tense throughout. Arsenal dominated possession, Liverpool defended compactly, and the crowd sensed a late breakthrough as the Gunners poured forward in the closing minutes. Martinelli had been heavily involved on the left, stretching play and driving at Liverpool’s back line.
The key incident arrived in stoppage time. Bradley’s clearance appeared routine until his knee buckled on contact, leaving him grounded in pain. Martinelli, assuming time-wasting in a frantic finale, reacted without full awareness of the injury’s severity.
Bradley was eventually stretchered off after lengthy treatment, later seen leaving the stadium in a knee brace. The sight underlined the seriousness of the situation and shifted the mood around the ground.
Arsenal and Liverpool failed to find a breakthrough after the restart in play. Chances were limited, legs tired, and both sides looked wary of conceding late as the game drifted toward a stalemate.
After the final whistle, Martinelli reached out privately to Bradley and publicly accepted responsibility, explaining that the moment unfolded in the heat of the contest and without malicious intent. Liverpool head coach Arne Slot echoed that view, pointing to widespread time-wasting issues in modern football while acknowledging the severity of Bradley’s injury.
The draw keeps Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League, maintaining their title momentum, while Liverpool remain fourth and firmly in contention for Champions League qualification. Attention now turns to Bradley’s recovery and Arsenal’s ability to keep their focus sharp as the season enters a decisive phase.