Arsenal supporters call Gary Neville a disgrace after his unexpected claim Liverpool players failed to target Gabriel Martinelli during heated encounter with injured Conor Bradley involved

A controversial incident during Arsenal’s goalless match against Liverpool has sparked widespread debate. Gabriel Martinelli pushed injured Conor Bradley off the pitch in injury time, prompting strong reactions from pundits and fans alike regarding the appropriateness of his actions.

Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville expressed his disapproval of Martinelli’s conduct, stating he was surprised Liverpool players did not respond more aggressively. Neville said he was “fuming” with Martinelli’s behavior and suggested the Brazilian should apologize personally to Bradley for the incident.

Martinelli quickly addressed the situation through a public statement. He acknowledged not realizing Bradley was injured at the time and expressed deep regret for his reaction during the heated moment of play, messaging Bradley to offer his apologies.

Arsenal supporters reacted negatively to Neville’s commentary, with many questioning his impartiality as a broadcaster. Critics argued advocating for violence contradicts professional standards and sends problematic messages to viewers. Several fan accounts online condemned what they perceived as bias against Arsenal throughout Neville’s career.

Other television analysts also critiqued Martinelli’s actions. Roy Keane referenced a similar incident from his own playing career and emphasized that such behavior represents a serious breach of sportsmanship, particularly when a player is genuinely injured and vulnerable on the field.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed concern about Bradley’s injury status, stating he feared the worst for the defender’s recovery prospects. However, Slot acknowledged that frequent time-wasting in matches may have contributed to Martinelli’s misunderstanding of the situation.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta defended Martinelli’s character, describing him as an exceptionally kind person who likely did not fully comprehend the severity of Bradley’s condition during the rapid sequence of events. Arteta praised his team’s overall performance throughout the match.