Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has leapt to the defence of Gabriel Martinelli after the Brazilian's controversial actions during a tense Premier League draw with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
Controversy in stoppage time
The flashpoint occurred deep into second-half stoppage time with the score locked at 0-0. Liverpool's young full-back, Conor Bradley, went down with a knee injury. In a moment of visible frustration as Arsenal chased a late winner, Martinelli attempted to push and roll the stricken defender off the pitch, believing it to be a time-wasting tactic.
The incident sparked immediate criticism from television pundits. Gary Neville labelled Martinelli an "idiot" for his intervention, while Roy Keane also condemned the 24-year-old's conduct. Despite the outcry, Martinelli escaped any disciplinary action from the match officials.
Managers offer contrasting perspectives in defence
Both managers, however, offered a sympathetic view of Martinelli's actions in their post-match comments. Arsenal's Mikel Arteta insisted his player meant no harm. "Knowing Gabby, if anybody knows Gabby, it's an incredibly lovely guy and probably he didn't realise what happened," Arteta said. "I hope that Conor is well. I will have a word with him now to understand that, but probably he didn't recognise what happened."
Liverpool boss Arne Slot refused to directly criticise the forward, instead suggesting the incident was a symptom of a wider issue in the modern game. "I'm 100% sure that if he knew what the injury might be, that he would never do that," Slot stated. He pointed to the prevalence of time-wasting and simulation as a reason for Martinelli's reaction, adding, "I've seen it happening against us so many times this season that I can understand that Martinelli might have thought that this was time-wasting as well."
Bradley injury concern and missed opportunity for Arsenal
The primary concern for Liverpool is the condition of Conor Bradley. Slot confirmed the defender would undergo a scan on his knee, admitting the injury "doesn't look good." Bradley had been one of Liverpool's brightest players in the first half, striking the crossbar in the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock.
The result extended Liverpool's unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions and denied Arsenal the chance to move eight points clear at the Premier League summit. Arteta acknowledged his side had missed a key opportunity to capitalise on draws for Manchester City and Aston Villa earlier in the week.
Nevertheless, the Arsenal manager praised his team's resilience, saying, "I think what they're doing is remarkable. To come out of this period with all the issues that we had, in the position that we are, in our strong position that we are, I think the boys deserve my credit and everybody's recognition." The match leaves the title race finely poised as the season enters its decisive phase.
