Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has issued a public apology and revealed he has privately messaged Conor Bradley, after facing fierce criticism for his conduct following the Liverpool defender's serious injury.
The Incident That Sparked Outrage
The controversy occurred during the closing stages of the goalless Premier League draw between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday. Bradley suffered what appeared to be a significant knee injury, leaving him in agony on the pitch.
In a moment that was widely condemned, Martinelli was seen aiming the ball at the prone Bradley and then nudging his knee into the injured player. As Liverpool's medical staff rushed to attend to their teammate, the Brazilian international then attempted to aggressively push the full-back off the field, prompting furious reactions from Liverpool players.
Bradley was eventually stretchered off and later seen leaving the stadium wearing a protective knee brace and using crutches, indicating the severity of the problem.
A Wave of Criticism and the Public Apology
Martinelli faced immediate and severe backlash for his actions. Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane led the criticism, branding the player's behaviour a 'disgrace' during television analysis.
Overnight, in a bid to control the damage, Martinelli took to social media to express his remorse. In his post, shared on January 9, 2026, he stated he was 'deeply sorry' and claimed he did not realise how serious Bradley's injury was in the heat of the moment.
"Conor and I have messaged I've already apologised to him," Martinelli wrote. "I really didn't understand he was seriously injured in the heat of the moment. I want to say I am deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery."
Fallout and What Happens Next
The incident has cast a shadow over what was a tightly contested match between two title rivals. While Martinelli's apology has been communicated, the court of public opinion and the football community will likely judge him on his future conduct.
The focus now shifts to Conor Bradley's recovery timeline, with the young Liverpool star facing a potentially lengthy spell on the sidelines. For Martinelli, the episode serves as a stark lesson in sportsmanship during highly charged fixtures.
Whether further disciplinary action will be taken by the Football Association remains to be seen, but the public apology marks the first step in mending the damage caused by the 'disgraceful' incident.
