Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has become the center of a heated debate in the Premier League after an incident where he attempted to push an injured Liverpool defender, Conor Bradley, off the field during a tense 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium on January 8, 2026. The match, a crucial clash between two title contenders, was overshadowed by the late-game altercation, which drew sharp criticism from pundits, sparked a brief melee among players, and prompted Martinelli to issue a public apology. While managers from both sides downplayed any malice, the episode has ignited discussions about sportsmanship, time-wasting tactics, and the fine line between competitive fire and recklessness in professional soccer.

The game itself was a gritty affair, with Arsenal dominating possession in the first half but failing to break through Liverpool’s resilient defense. Liverpool, missing key striker Hugo Ekitike due to injury, shifted momentum after the break, creating several chances but ultimately settling for a point that kept them atop the league standings. Arsenal, motivated to close the gap, grew increasingly frustrated as the clock ticked down, leading to the flashpoint in stoppage time. In the 94th minute, Bradley, Liverpool’s 22-year-old Northern Irish right-back, collided with Martinelli while contesting a loose ball near the sideline. Bradley landed awkwardly on his knee, writhing in visible pain and rolling slightly onto the pitch. Martinelli, the 24-year-old Brazilian forward, appeared to interpret the delay as time-wasting—a common tactic in high-stakes matches—and reacted impulsively.

According to eyewitness accounts and broadcast footage, Martinelli first tossed the ball toward the prone Bradley, then nudged him with his knee before attempting to physically shove him over the touchline to restart play. This action immediately incited Liverpool players, including captain Virgil van Dijk and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, who rushed in to confront the Arsenal winger. A brief scuffle ensued, with Arsenal’s Declan Rice stepping in to separate the groups, but no punches were thrown. Referee Michael Oliver opted not to issue a card to Martinelli, a decision that further fueled post-match debates. Bradley, in too much agony to stand, was eventually stretchered off the field and later seen leaving the stadium on crutches with a protective knee brace. Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed post-game that Bradley would undergo scans, adding that the injury “doesn’t look good” but withholding further details pending medical evaluation.

Pundit reactions were swift and scathing. On Sky Sports’ broadcast, former Manchester United captain Gary Neville labeled Martinelli an “idiot” and called the act “so poor,” expressing surprise that Liverpool players didn’t retaliate more aggressively. “You can’t push him off the pitch,” Neville fumed. “That is absolutely disgraceful. I’m fuming with Martinelli… I don’t know how one of the Liverpool players haven’t absolutely whacked him.” Neville’s co-pundit, Roy Keane—infamous for his own on-field confrontations, including a notorious clash with Alf-Inge Haaland in 2001—echoed the sentiment, branding Martinelli’s behavior “disgraceful” and drawing parallels to past incidents where player safety was compromised. Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge also weighed in, criticizing the winger’s lack of awareness and respect for an opponent’s well-being.

Liverpool’s Szoboszlai provided insight into Bradley’s mindset during the chaos. “I saw that Conor twisted his knee… he was just in so much pain he couldn’t even think where he rolled,” the Hungarian midfielder told Sky Sports. “Gabriel comes there and pushes him off the pitch. I understand they want to win… but the health of the player comes ahead of everything else.” Despite the outrage, Slot took a measured approach in his post-match press conference, refusing to condemn Martinelli outright. “I don’t know Gabriel Martinelli, but he comes across as a nice guy,” Slot said. “The problem for him—and it’s a problem in general in football—is that there is so much time-wasting and players pretending that they are injured… you can sometimes be annoyed if you want to try to score a goal and you think the player is time-wasting.” Slot emphasized that Martinelli likely wouldn’t have acted if aware of the injury’s severity, adding, “I’m 100% sure that if he knew what the injury might be, he would never do that.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta similarly defended his player, insisting there was “zero intention” to cause harm. “Knowing Gabi, if anybody knows Gabi, he’s an incredible, lovely guy, and probably he didn’t realize what happened,” Arteta told reporters. “I hope that Conor is well. I will have a word with him now to understand that.” Arteta’s comments aligned with Martinelli’s own explanation, as the winger quickly moved to apologize via Instagram shortly after the match. “Conor and I have messaged, and I’ve already apologised to him,” Martinelli posted. “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.” The apology, shared overnight, has been viewed millions of times and drew mixed responses, with some fans accepting it as genuine while others felt it came too late.

Social media erupted in the aftermath, with the hashtag #MartinelliBradley trending on X (formerly Twitter) and amassing thousands of posts. Liverpool supporters were particularly vocal, labeling Martinelli’s actions “classless” and calling for a ban. One user wrote, “Absolutely disgraceful stuff from Gabriel Martinelli, first throwing the ball at and then shoving a clearly injured Conor Bradley.” Another added, “Bradley seriously injured, and Martinelli pushes him off the pitch, so classless.” Arsenal fans, however, pointed to Liverpool’s alleged time-wasting throughout the game as context. “Liverpool players faked injury, dived around play acting the entire game,” one supporter posted. “Martinelli Bradley incident was a direct consequence of Liverpool players crying wolf for 90 mins.” Others dismissed the backlash as overblown, with comments like, “This Martinelli & Bradley incident has been blown way out of proportion lol.”

The incident draws parallels to past controversies in soccer where player safety clashed with competitive urgency. Keane’s infamous tackle on Haaland, which ended the Norwegian’s career prematurely, was invoked by pundits as a cautionary tale. Similarly, Sergio Ramos’ challenge on Mohamed Salah in the 2018 Champions League final, which forced the Egyptian out with a shoulder injury, went unpunished despite widespread criticism. In Martinelli’s case, no retrospective action from the Football Association is expected, as the referee saw the incident in real time and chose not to card him. However, calls for a review persist, with some analysts suggesting a yellow or even red card was warranted for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Bradley, a rising star who has impressed since breaking into Liverpool’s first team, faces an uncertain recovery timeline. The 22-year-old, who earned his spot through strong performances in the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, could miss significant time if scans reveal ligament damage—a blow to Liverpool’s title defense. Slot’s comments reflect broader frustrations in the league about time-wasting, a tactic that has prompted the Premier League to introduce stricter rules on added time and multi-ball systems to keep games flowing.

Martinelli, known for his pace and flair since joining Arsenal from Ituano in 2019, has endured a mixed season, contributing five goals and three assists in 18 appearances. His impulsive moment could invite scrutiny, but teammates and coaches have rallied around him. “Rewatching the Martinelli–Bradley incident shows Nelli didn’t know Bradley was badly injured and apologized immediately,” one Arsenal fan account posted on X. The winger’s quick apology and direct communication with Bradley may mitigate long-term fallout, but the episode serves as a reminder of the intense emotions in top-flight soccer.

As of January 9, 2026, no updates on Bradley’s scan results have been released, and both clubs are preparing for upcoming fixtures—Arsenal faces Manchester City next, while Liverpool hosts Chelsea. The draw leaves Liverpool three points clear at the top, with Arsenal in third, five points adrift. Whether this incident lingers or fades will depend on Bradley’s prognosis and the league’s response, but it has undeniably added fuel to the rivalry between two of England’s most storied clubs.

In a sport where split-second decisions define careers, Martinelli’s push highlights the human element amid the pressure cooker of the Premier League. As Slot noted, time-wasting plagues the game, but player welfare must remain paramount. For now, the focus shifts to Bradley’s recovery, with fans on both sides hoping for a swift return to action.