Gabriel Martinelli is not expected to face further action from the Football Association after the Arsenal forward attempted to push injured Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley off the pitch during Thursday’s Premier League fixture.
The incident occurred in stoppage time of the 0-0 draw, with Bradley landing awkwardly on the touchline and immediately appearing in physical pain.
What happened?
Martinelli dropped the ball on Bradley, who then shuffled slightly to ensure he was on the pitch, before the Arsenal forward grabbed the Northern Ireland international by the shoulder and neck and pushed him back towards the touchline.
Martinelli was shown a yellow card by referee Anthony Taylor, and given the incident was spotted by the on-field referee, the Brazil international is not expected to face any retrospective disciplinary sanctions.
Why it matters for Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he would speak to Martinelli, who subsequently apologised on social media and stated he had not been aware of the severity of Bradley’s injury.
Arteta described Martinelli as an "incredible, lovely guy" who probably didn’t realise what happened.
What comes next?
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot explained Bradley would undergo scans to determine the full extent of the injury, but said he "fears the worst" for the right-back.
Slot also said he believed Martinelli did not realise the seriousness of Bradley’s injury and was sympathetic to the Arsenal player’s frustrations.
And the incident triggered a mass confrontation between the two teams, with both Martinelli and Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate being shown yellow cards.
Martinelli 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."
So the Arsenal forward is sending Bradley his best wishes for a quick recovery.
As of January 9, 2026, Bradley's injury status is still uncertain, with scans pending to determine the full extent of the damage.
But Slot's fears suggest the injury could be serious, with Bradley leaving the stadium on crutches with his left knee in a brace.