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 crucial over the controversial incident.
Understanding 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 depart the turf due to a knee drawback.
“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 usually in soccer – is that there’s a lot time-wasting and gamers pretending they’re injured within the ultimate a part of video games that you would be able to generally be irritated, if you wish to rating a aim, [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 instances this season that I can perceive Martinelli may need thought this was time-wasting as nicely.”
“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” realise the extent of the harm to Bradley, who was changed by Joe Gomez.
“Understanding 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 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 great things”. “You might inform [Bradley] was injured,” added the Manchester United legend.
“He’s not the kind of child to [over-react]. If you happen to’re standing over him, you don’t know the harm the participant’s bought. 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 harm ‘a lot ache’
Szoboszlai emphasised that Bradley had not been attempting 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] desires to win – we wish to win as nicely – 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 “attempting all the pieces” to earn a second reserving for one in all 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 steered, explaining how his squad are dedicated to equity.
“You can’t anticipate, from Martinelli, that he thinks so clearly within the 94th minute. I’m 100% certain that, if he knew what the harm could be, he would by no means do this.
“However it doesn’t look nice if [Bradley] has the harm we worry he may need, if you need to go off on a stretcher. We have now 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, 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 taking part in the ball straight to him.
Liverpool seized extra of the momentum after the restart, having a penalty enchantment dismissed by a Video Assistant Referee examine 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’ll be able to relive 101GreatGoals.com’s dwell updates from Arsenal vs Liverpool within the Premier League here.
Arsenal staff 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 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 staff 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 received their earlier two dwelling Premier League matches in opposition to the reigning champions, beating Metropolis in each 2023/24 and 2024/25
- They failed to realize the feat in three consecutive league seasons, as they’d executed 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 dwelling 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 they’d an extended run and not using a 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 staff Arsenal have confronted on all seven days of the week within the Premier League after Southampton
- Arsenal had received their earlier seven dwelling Premier League matches – solely as soon as underneath Mikel Arteta had they’d an extended dwelling 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 probably the most any aspect has in opposition to the Gunners within the competitors
