Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta have defended Gabriel Martinelli after the Arsenal ahead sparked a skirmish by making an attempt to roll an injured Conor Bradley off the pitch in his aspect’s draw with Liverpool – however Dominik Szoboszlai, Roy Keane and Daniel Sturridge provided scathing assessments of the controversial incident.
Understanding victory would transfer the leaders eight factors clear, Martinelli tried to push the inclined Reds defender off the pitch earlier than the Northern Eire captain was stretchered off with a knee drawback.
“I don’t know Gabriel Martinelli however he comes throughout as a pleasant man,” Slot mentioned earlier than claiming dishonest is damaging the sport.
“The issue for him – and it’s an issue basically in soccer – is that there’s a lot time-wasting and gamers pretending they’re injured within the closing a part of video games that you could generally be aggravated, if you wish to rating a objective, [when] you suppose {that a} participant is time-wasting.
“Soccer, time-wasting, diving has come to the state of affairs the place gamers suppose, within the 94th minute, that that has occurred once more – as a result of I’ve seen it occur in opposition to us so many instances this season that I can perceive Martinelli may need thought this was time-wasting as effectively.”
“I hope Martinelli has gone into the dressing room and apologised”
Gary Neville hopes Gabriel Martinelli could have apologised to Connor Bradley. pic.twitter.com/ZDPQKXAij0
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 8, 2026
Gabriel Martinelli: ‘No intention’ over Conor Bradley
Arteta, whose aspect are six factors above Manchester Metropolis and Aston Villa after 21 video games of the season, mentioned Martinelli “in all probability didn’t know” the extent of the harm to Bradley, who was changed by Joe Gomez.
“Understanding Gabi, it’s not intentional,” Arteta instructed Sky Sports activities. “I don’t know what occurred to Conor – hopefully it’s nothing dangerous – however there’s no intention from Gabi to do something dangerous to him.”
Former Reds striker Sturridge was much less forgiving. “I can see that perhaps [Martinelli’s] considering [Bradley’s] time-wasting, however you’ve bought to be self-aware sufficient to know ‘okay, cool – the man’s down’. It’s simply disrespectful – in all probability even worse than disrespectful.”
Seven-time Premier League winner Keane described Martinelli’s behaviour as “not good things”. “You can inform [Bradley] was injured,” added the Manchester United legend.
“He’s not the kind of child to [over-react]. In the event you’re standing over him, you don’t know the damage the participant’s bought. It appeared fairly dangerous [and] he’s making an attempt to place him off the pitch.”
👏❤️ pic.twitter.com/NUVOT3mnAX
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 8, 2026
Arsenal vs Liverpool: Bradley damage ‘a lot ache’
Szoboszlai emphasised that Bradley had not been making an attempt to remain down on the pitch to gradual the sport down with Liverpool closing in on a draw many had not anticipated them to realize in opposition to opponents 14 factors above them.
“I noticed that Conor twisted his knee,” mentioned the Hungary playmaker. “He simply had a lot ache that he couldn’t even suppose the place he rolled.
“I perceive [Martinelli] desires to win – we wish to win as effectively – however the well being of a participant is way more essential.”
Slot named Leeds United as one of many groups to have examined the boundaries of the foundations in opposition to them and accused West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta of “making an attempt all the pieces” to earn a second reserving for certainly one of his gamers.
“I can’t ask Gabriel Martinelli – within the 94th minute, when it’s so emotional – to know that he performs [against] Liverpool,” he urged, explaining how his squad play pretty.
“You can not anticipate, from Martinelli, that he thinks so clearly within the 94th minute. I’m 100% positive that, if he knew what the damage is likely to be, he would by no means try this.
“However it doesn’t look nice if [Bradley] has the damage we worry he may need, if you must go off on a stretcher. We now have to attend on the scans. Perhaps he can play on Monday [at home to Barnsley in the FA Cup] – let’s hope so.”
Liverpool so near taking the lead!
Conor Bradley’s effort CRASHES in opposition to the crossbar! 💥 pic.twitter.com/ylmgvHplPs
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 8, 2026
Arsenal vs Liverpool: Premier League stalemate
Visiting full-back Conor Bradley went closest to breaking the impasse in spectacular fashion, capturing in opposition to the crossbar from distance through the first half after Gunners goalkeeper David Raya met a rushed backpass from William Saliba by taking part in the ball straight to him.
Liverpool seized extra of the momentum after the restart, having a penalty attraction dismissed by a Video Assistant Referee verify for Leandro Trossard’s problem on Florian Wirtz.
Arsenal are subsequent in motion at second-tier Portsmouth within the FA Cup third spherical on Sunday (14:00 GMT). Liverpool host the third-tier Tykes on the identical stage of the competitors the next day (19:45).
You possibly can relive 101GreatGoals.com’s reside updates from Arsenal vs Liverpool within the Premier League right here.
Arsenal workforce vs Liverpool
Winger Max Dowman and defender Cristhian Mosquera (each ankle) remained out for Arsenal, as did full-back Riccardo Calafiori with an unspecified difficulty.
Ahead Kai Havertz had been unnoticed of the 3-2 win at Bournemouth 4 days earlier for load administration functions however began this time, as did Bukayo Saka.
Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke moved to the bench.
Arsenal beginning XI: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, Martin Odegaard, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, Leandro Trossard
Arsenal substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, Myles Lewis-Skelly
To not be this time for Dominik Szoboszlai! ❌ pic.twitter.com/IT3LgS2kbY
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 8, 2026
Liverpool workforce vs Arsenal
Jeremie Frimpong changed Curtis Jones for Liverpool. Midfielder Wataru Endo was injured and striker Alexander Isak had a damaged leg.
Defender Giovanni Leoni had a long-term knee damage and ahead Mohamed Salah was on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.
Liverpool beginning XI: Alisson Becker, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo
Liverpool substitutes: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Joe Gomez, Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson, Freddie Woodman, Trey Nyoni, Calvin Ramsay, Rio Ngumoha
Arsenal vs Liverpool stats
Arsenal had received their earlier two house Premier League matches in opposition to the reigning champions, beating Metropolis in each 2023/24 and 2024/25
They failed to attain the feat in three consecutive league seasons, as they’d performed between 1961/62 and 1963/64, once they beat Spurs, Ipswich and Everton
Bukayo Saka missed out on turning into the primary Arsenal participant to scored in 4 consecutive house video games in opposition to the Reds
Arsenal saved a clear sheet for the primary time in 21 Premier League video games in opposition to Liverpool and the primary time since a 0-0 attract August 2015
Solely in opposition to Man Utd (30 between 1953 and 1968) and Tottenham (24 between 1955 and 1967) had they’d an extended run and not using a clear sheet of their league historical past
This was the first-ever Premier League sport between Arsenal and Liverpool on a Thursday, with their final Thursday league assembly coming at Anfield in December 1947 (3-1 win for Arsenal)
Liverpool are the second workforce Arsenal have confronted on all seven days of the week within the Premier League after Southampton
Arsenal had received their earlier seven house Premier League matches – solely as soon as beneath Mikel Arteta had they’d an extended house league successful run, successful 10 consecutively between April and December 2022
Towards no aspect have Arsenal misplaced extra Premier League video games than they’ve in opposition to Liverpool (26, stage with Manchester United)
Liverpool missed out on finishing the Premier League double over Arsenal for the eighth time, and first since 2021/22. Their seven ‘doubles’ is essentially the most any aspect has in opposition to the Gunners within the competitors
