Gabriel Martinelli Apologises to Liverpool’s Conor Bradley – But Should Arsenal Winger Have Been Sent Off?

Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has said sorry to Conor Bradley for shoving him off the pitch after the Liverpool defender suffered a serious knee injury during Thursday night’s 0-0 draw.

The unpleasant incident occurred in added time at the Emirates Stadium after Bradley had cleared the ball out for an Arsenal throw-in. Right-back Bradley, who has missed at least eight games due to injuries in each of the past three seasons, was immediately in clear pain and the Liverpool medical staff quickly rushed to his aid.

But Martinelli seemingly felt that Bradley was attempting to waste time. The Brazilian threw the ball at Bradley while he was lying on the floor, before moments later aggressively pushing him over the touchline.

This act of aggression sparked a brief confrontation involving Ibrahima Konate, who was shown a yellow card for pushing Martinelli.

Gabriel Martinelli lucky to avoid a red card after Conor Bradley incident?

Referee Anthony Taylor also showed Martinelli a yellow card, though many witnesses felt the Gunners man should actually have been sent off.

Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy said on talkSPORT: “I thought it was a disgrace from Martinelli. That is so unnecessary. I know what he is thinking. He thinks that Bradley is wasting time. It is a red card, by the way. It is two yellows. He throws the ball at him and then he tries to manhandle him off the pitch.

“The boy’s career could be in the balance. Absolutely disgusting from Martinelli. Disgusting. Classless.”

Well wishes to Conor Bradley

Disgusting behaviour from Martinelli! pic.twitter.com/p6izwH6fvs

— Neil Mellor (@NeilMellor33) January 8, 2026

Pundits slam “idiot” Gabriel Martinelli and his “disgraceful” conduct

Gary Neville, who was commentating on Thursday’s game for Sky Sports, had earlier reacted by calling Martinelli an “idiot”.

Neville said: “You can’t push him off the pitch. You cannot do that, you idiot. That’s so poor. I’m surprised the Liverpool players haven’t gone over and had a right pop at him. I think an apology is needed.

“Honestly, I don’t know how the Liverpool players didn’t go over there and whack him, to be honest with you, and take a red card. Absolutely disgraceful, that.”

Neville later added: “I believe football players are all good lads. He obviously thinks he’s trying to waste time at the end of the game, but I think you could see that was a bad one.”

Neville’s former Manchester United team-mate and fellow Sky pundit Roy Keane said: “I didn’t like it, I didn’t like it at all. I’m surprised the Liverpool players didn’t go after Martinelli a bit more because that behaviour was a disgrace.

“You don’t know the injury the player’s got, it looks pretty bad, and you’re trying to push him off the pitch? Not good stuff, that.”

Gabriel Martinelli apologises to Conor Bradley

Around two hours after the match had finished, Martinelli posted a 44-word statement to Instagram in which he apologised to Bradley for kicking the ball at him and shoving the Liverpool defender.

Martinelli also claimed that he had exchanged messages with Bradley before uploading the statement.

“Conor and I have messaged and I’ve already apologised to him,” Martinelli’s post began.

“I really didn’t understand he was seriously injured in the heat of the moment. I want to say I’m deeply sorry for reacting.

“Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery.”

Mikel Arteta defends “lovely guy” Gabriel Martinelli

Both managers were asked about Martinelli’s attack on Bradley during their post-game interviews.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta leapt to the defence of Martinelli. He said: “I don’t know what happened to Conor, but hopefully it’s not bad. But obviously there is no intention from Gabi to do anything bad to him.”

The Liverpool head coach said: “I am 100% sure that if he knew what the injury might be, then he would never do that. But it doesn’t look great if he has the injury which we fear he might have.

“But time-wasting, diving… I have seen it happen against us so many times this season that I can understand that Martinelli might have thought that this is time-wasting as well.”

Thursday’s draw left Arsenal six points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa in the Premier League title race after 21 rounds of fixtures in the 2025/26 season.

The Gunners, who finished top of the 2025 Premier League calendar year table, are now widely priced as 1/5 favourites in the title betting.