Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta have defended Gabriel Martinelli after the Arsenal ahead sparked a skirmish by attempting to roll an injured Conor Bradley off the pitch – however Dominik Szoboszlai, Roy Keane and Daniel Sturridge had been extra essential over the controversial incident.
Realizing victory would transfer the leaders eight factors clear, Martinelli tried to push the inclined Reds defender off the pitch throughout second-half added time within the 0-0 draw on the Emirates Stadium, with the Northern Eire captain down damage and requiring a stretcher to go away the turf due to a knee drawback.
“I don’t know Gabriel Martinelli however he comes throughout as a pleasant man,” Slot stated, claiming that dishonest is damaging the sport.
“The issue for him – and it’s an issue generally in soccer – is that there’s a lot time-wasting and gamers pretending they’re injured within the last a part of video games you can typically be aggravated, if you wish to rating a aim, [when] you assume a participant is time-wasting.
“Soccer, time-wasting, diving has come to the state of affairs the place gamers assume, 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 occasions 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 facet are six factors above Manchester Metropolis and Aston Villa after 21 video games of the season, stated Martinelli “most likely didn’t” realise the extent of the injury to Bradley, who was changed by Joe Gomez.
“Realizing Gabi, it’s not intentional,” Arteta advised Sky Sports activities. “I don’t know what occurred to Conor – hopefully it’s nothing unhealthy – however there’s no intention from Gabi to do something unhealthy 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 received to be self-aware sufficient to know ‘okay, cool – the man’s down’. It’s simply disrespectful – most likely even worse than disrespectful.”
Seven-time Premier League winner Keane described Martinelli’s behaviour as “not great things”. “You can inform [Bradley] was injured,” added the Manchester United legend.
“He’s not the kind of child to [over-react]. In case you’re standing over him, you don’t know the damage the participant’s received. It regarded fairly unhealthy [and] he’s attempting 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 attempting to remain on the pitch to sluggish the sport down as Liverpool secured a draw many had not anticipated in opposition to opponents 14 factors above them.
“I noticed that Conor twisted his knee,” stated the Hungary playmaker. “He simply had a lot ache that he couldn’t even assume the place he rolled.
“I perceive [Martinelli] needs 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 principles in opposition to them and accused West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta of “attempting every thing” to earn a second reserving for considered one of his gamers.
“I can not ask Gabriel Martinelli – within the 94th minute, when it’s so emotional – to know that he performs [against] Liverpool,” he prompt, explaining how his squad are dedicated to equity.
“You can not anticipate, from Martinelli, that he thinks so clearly within the 94th minute. I’m 100% certain that, if he knew what the damage could be, he would by no means do this.
“But it surely doesn’t look nice if [Bradley] has the damage we concern he may need, if it’s important to go off on a stretcher. We’ve to attend on the scans. Possibly 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 Bradley went closest to breaking the impasse in spectacular type, taking pictures in opposition to the crossbar from distance through the first half after Gunners goalkeeper David Raya met a rushed backpass from William Saliba by enjoying the ball straight to him.
Liverpool seized extra of the momentum after the restart, having a penalty enchantment 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’ll be able to relive 101GreatGoals.com’s stay updates from Arsenal vs Liverpool within the Premier League here.
Arsenal crew vs Liverpool
Winger Max Dowman and defender Cristhian Mosquera (each ankle) remained out for Arsenal, as did full-back Riccardo Calafiori with an unspecified problem.
Ahead Kai Havertz had been disregarded of the 3-2 win at Bournemouth 4 days earlier for load administration functions however began this time, as did Bukayo Saka.
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 crew 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 residence 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 that they had executed between 1961/62 and 1963/64, after they beat Spurs, Ipswich and Everton
- Bukayo Saka missed out on changing into the primary Arsenal participant to scored in 4 consecutive residence video games in opposition to the Reds
- Arsenal stored 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 that they had an extended run with no clear sheet of their league historical past
- This was the first-ever Premier League recreation 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 crew Arsenal have confronted on all seven days of the week within the Premier League after Southampton
- Arsenal had received their earlier seven residence Premier League matches – solely as soon as below Mikel Arteta had that they had an extended residence league successful run, successful 10 consecutively between April and December 2022
- Towards no facet have Arsenal misplaced extra Premier League video games than they’ve in opposition to Liverpool (26, degree 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 probably the most any facet has in opposition to the Gunners within the competitors
