Mikel Arteta sends message to Arne Slot over Gabriel Martinelli response after Conor Bradley injury

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Mikel Arteta has praised Arne Slot’s measured reaction to the controversial incident involving Gabriel Martinelli and injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley, insisting the Arsenal winger’s behaviour does not reflect his true character. Arteta described Martinelli as an “incredible, lovely guy” and argued the Brazilian had not realised how serious Bradley’s knee problem was when he angrily pushed him while he lay on the turf in stoppage time of the goalless draw at the Emirates.

Bradley, 22, was later stretchered off and has since been diagnosed with a significant knee injury that will rule him out for the rest of the season, with surgery required to repair ligament and bone damage, although he has avoided an ACL tear.[1][3] The incident sparked a heated confrontation between both sets of players, and Martinelli was booked, prompting widespread criticism from pundits and supporters.

In the days after the game, Martinelli issued a direct apology to Bradley on social media, explaining that he was “deeply sorry” and had already messaged the defender privately, stressing he did not understand in the heat of the moment that Bradley was seriously hurt.[2][3] Arteta backed his player both before and after that apology, saying he would also speak to Bradley and reiterating his hope that the Liverpool full-back makes a swift recovery.[2]

Slot, meanwhile, admitted he feared “the worst” for Bradley as he awaited scan results but refused to condemn Martinelli personally, suggesting the wider problem of time-wasting and players exaggerating injuries can lead to such flashpoints.[2][4] Arteta publicly welcomed that stance, seeing it as a sign of respect and perspective from his Liverpool counterpart and using it to underline his message that Martinelli’s instant remorse and subsequent response were the actions of a player who had simply misread a serious situation rather than acted with malice.