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 – however Dominik Szoboszlai, Roy Keane and Daniel Sturridge have been extra vital over the controversial incident.
Figuring out 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 harm and requiring a stretcher to depart the turf due to a knee downside.
“I don’t know Gabriel Martinelli however he comes throughout as a pleasant man,” Slot mentioned, claiming that 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 last a part of video games that you may generally be aggravated, if you wish to rating a objective, [when] you assume a participant is time-wasting.
“Soccer, time-wasting, diving has come to the scenario 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 properly.”
“I hope Martinelli has gone into the dressing room and apologised”
Gary Neville hopes Gabriel Martinelli may 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” realise the extent of the injury to Bradley, who was changed by Joe Gomez.
“Figuring out Gabi, it’s not intentional,” Arteta advised 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 possibly [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 – in all probability even worse than disrespectful.”
Seven-time Premier League winner Keane described Martinelli’s behaviour as “not great things”. “You possibly can inform [Bradley] was injured,” added the Manchester United legend.
“He’s not the kind of child to [over-react]. Should you’re standing over him, you don’t know the harm the participant’s received. 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 harm ‘a lot ache’
Szoboszlai emphasised that Bradley had not been making an attempt to remain on the pitch to gradual 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,” mentioned 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 properly – however the well being of a participant is rather 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 “making an attempt the whole lot” to earn a second reserving for one in every of his gamers.
“I can’t ask Gabriel Martinelli – within the 94th minute, when it’s so emotional – to grasp that he performs [against] Liverpool,” he steered, explaining how his squad are dedicated to equity.
“You can not count on, from Martinelli, that he thinks so clearly within the 94th minute. I’m 100% positive that, if he knew what the harm is likely to be, he would by no means try this.
“Nevertheless it doesn’t look nice if [Bradley] has the harm we concern he may need, if you must go off on a stretcher. We’ve got 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 model, 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 enjoying 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 similar stage of the competitors the next day (19:45).
You may relive 101GreatGoals.com’s stay updates from Arsenal vs Liverpool within the Premier League right here.
Arsenal group vs Liverpool
Winger Max Dowman and defender Cristhian Mosquera (each ankle) remained out for Arsenal, as did full-back Riccardo Calafiori with an unspecified challenge.
Ahead Kai Havertz had been overlooked 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 group 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 harm 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 gained 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 that they had carried out 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 house 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 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 group Arsenal have confronted on all seven days of the week within the Premier League after Southampton
Arsenal had gained their earlier seven house Premier League matches – solely as soon as beneath Mikel Arteta had that they had an extended house league successful run, successful 10 consecutively between April and December 2022
In opposition to no aspect 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 aspect has in opposition to the Gunners within the competitors
