Martinelli apologises to Conor Bradley after Emirates incident

According to Goal, Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has apologised to Liverpool defender Conor Bradley after an incident late in the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium left Bradley stretchered and later seen leaving the stadium in a knee brace. Martinelli dropped the ball onto Bradley, then grabbed him and attempted to clear him from the pitch after Bradley appeared to twist his knee while clearing the ball into the crowd as Arsenal pushed for a late winner.

The confrontation sparked an unsightly melee, bookings on both sides and criticism from pundits; Gary Neville called Martinelli's actions "disgraceful" and Roy Keane said the forward had acted like an "idiot". Martinelli said on Instagram: "Conor and I have messaged and I’ve already apologised to him.

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." Liverpool head coach Arne Slot defended Martinelli, saying he "comes across as a nice guy" and suggesting time-wasting in late stages of matches can provoke such reactions: "You cannot ask Martinelli to think so clear in the 94th minute." Slot added that Bradley's injury "doesn't look great if he has the injury which we fear he might have".

Key Topics

Sports, Gabriel Martinelli, Conor Bradley, Arsenal, Liverpool, Arne Slot