Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli is not expected to face a retrospective ban after a ‘disgraceful’ incident involving Liverpool defender Conor Bradley.
Gabriel Martinelli Won’t Face Ban Over Conor Bradley Incident
Gabriel Martinelli is not expected to face any additional punishment after an incident involving Conor Bradley during Arsenal’s goalless draw against Liverpool at the Emirates on Thursday.
As Bradley lay on the ground injured, the Brazilian dropped the ball on the Northern Irishman before trying to shove him off the pitch, prompting a mass brawl between both sets of players.
Bradley was stretchered off the field moments later, seemingly with a serious injury.
A wave of backlash directed at Martinelli followed, and he has since issued an apology.
He wrote 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.”
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, who was commentating on the fixture on Sky Sports, branded the incident a ‘disgrace’ and slammed Martinelli for his actions.
“I am surprised one of the Liverpool players hasn’t gone over and had a right pop at him. I think an apology is needed.
“I’m fuming with Martinelli, I don’t know how a Liverpool player didn’t go and whack him and take the red card. Absolutely disgraceful.”
Roy Keane agreed with his former Red Devils teammate and criticised Martinelli’s behaviour.
He said: “I didn’t like it at all. It happened to me once. I was badly injured and a player stood over me. It’s not good. We know football, the player is a good lad.
“Throwing the ball at him, standing over him and getting a little knee on him. He tries to force him off.
“That behaviour is an absolute disgrace. He’s a good boy to roll over himself. Hopefully, Martinelli will have a look at it and hopefully, he’ll apologise for it. Not good stuff that.”
Martinelli is unlikely to face a retrospective ban over the incident as match referee Anthony Taylor witnessed the action unfold and issued a yellow card to the winger.
Fears of ACL Injury for Conor Bradley
Liverpool boss Arne Slot admitted after the full-time whistle that he ‘fears the worst’ for Bradley.
The young defender went down unchallenged, with many suggesting that the 22-year-old has potentially suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Slot said: “Let’s hope for the best, but I fear the worst for Conor Bradley.
“It doesn’t look great if he has the injury which we fear he might have.
“It didn’t look great if you have to go off on a stretcher, and I think when we see the video we both probably think the same.
“We have to wait on the scans if it’s that bad, or if he can play on Monday – let’s hope so!”
The Reds host League One side Barnsley in the FA Cup third round on Monday evening.
Their stalemate against the Gunners saw their unbeaten run extended to 10 straight matches.
Slot had been favoured in the Premier League sack race odds market prior to this run, however he is now at 20/1 and is the fourth favourite manager to go next in the division.
Should Anfield chiefs opt to part ways with the Dutchman in the near future, former boss Jurgen Klopp is the current favourite to replace him in the next Liverpool manager odds market.
