Arne Slot shows his class as he defends Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli has faced widespread criticism after an incident involving Conor Bradley during Arsenal’s match against Liverpool. The Arsenal forward was seen pushing the Liverpool defender off the pitch at a moment when Bradley was injured, prompting a strong reaction from supporters and commentators alike. The situation quickly became a talking point, particularly given the context of a tightly contested game and the intensity of the closing stages.

Bradley sustained the injury while attempting to make a clearance and subsequently moved himself back onto the pitch, a scenario often associated with delaying tactics late in matches. With Arsenal pressing for a winning goal, Martinelli intervened by pushing Bradley off the playing area, leading to Liverpool players immediately surrounding the Brazilian in defence of their teammate. Bradley was later taken off on a stretcher, underlining the seriousness of the injury and further fuelling debate around Martinelli’s actions.

Reaction to the incident

Following the match, Martinelli was criticised heavily across social media platforms, with many interpreting his behaviour as unsporting. Critics argued that regardless of the circumstances, any contact with an injured player was unacceptable. Liverpool supporters, neutral observers and several pundits shared the view that the incident reflected poorly on the Arsenal forward.

However, there was also recognition that Martinelli may not have been aware of the severity of Bradley’s injury at the time. His actions appeared driven by a desire to restart play quickly, with Arsenal in urgent pursuit of a decisive goal. This context has been cited by some as a mitigating factor, although it has not quelled the wider criticism.