GARY NEVILLE was seething with Gabriel Martinelli after the Arsenal star tried to push a seriously injured Conor Bradley off the pitch.
His actions sparked a mass brawl while Bradley needed to be stretchered off in the final stages of Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool.
The Gunners missed out on the chance to go eight points clear at the top of the Premier League because of the goalless stalemate.
But Neville, 50, was LIVID when Martinelli sensationally shoved Bradley off the pitch when he was clearly in agony and waiting for treatment.
The Manchester United legend claimed the Brazilian needed to say sorry for his actions.
Neville, who was on co-commentary for Sky Sports, said: “You can’t push him off the pitch!
“You cannot do that. That is so poor. I think an apology is needed.
“Bradley is being stretchered off. I’m fuming with Martinelli to be honest. Disgraceful.
“I’m surprised a Liverpool player hasn’t gone over and whacked Martinelli there!”
The 24-year-old Arsenal star was quickly shown a yellow card by referee Anthony Taylor for his outrageous decision to push Bradley – who was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches.
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It came after Martinelli had already dropped the ball on the stricken right-back and stuck his knee into him.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, who was involved in the mass brawl, was also booked.
Martinelli posted on Instagram a couple of hours after full-time: “Conor and I have messaged and I’ve already apologised to him.
“I really didn’t understand he was seriously injured in the heat of the moment.
“I want to say I’m deeply sorry for reacting. Sending Conor all my best again for a quick recovery.”
Roy Keane, who was in the Sky Sports studio, had his say: “I didn’t like it at all. It happened to me once.
“I was badly injured and a player stood over me. It’s not good. We know football, the player is a good lad.
“Throwing the ball at him, standing over him and getting a little knee on him. He tries to force him off.
“That behaviour is an absolute disgrace. He’s a good boy to roll over himself.
“Hopefully, Martinelli will have a look at it and hopefully he’ll apologise for it. Not good stuff that.”
Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge also chimed in, admitting: “It’s disappointing to see.
“There’s passion and there’s being a winner, there’s wanting to help your team-mates, but you’ve got to be respectful as a footballer.
“Injuries are never a nice feeling. Martinelli is thinking he is time wasting but you’ve got to be self aware enough to see the guy is down. You’ve been there before.
“It’s disrespectful. It’s probably worse than disrespectful.”
Bradley was writhing in pain after suffering what appeared to be a knee injury when making a clearance into the stands.
Having been seen to by the reigning Premier League champions’ medical team, he needed to be stretchered off.
Martinelli had come off the bench earlier in the second half, replacing Leandro Trossard.
Bradley came closest to scoring when Arsenal and Liverpool could not be separated at the Emirates Stadium.
The Northern Irishman, 22, beat Gunners goalkeeper David Raya with an audacious lob only to see his effort come back off the crossbar.
Liverpool chief Arne Slot could not provide an immediate update on the severity of Bradley’s injury – but he was not happy with Martinelli.
The Dutchman said: “I don’t know Gabriel Martinelli, but he comes across as a nice guy.
“The problem for him is that there is so much time wasting and players pretending they are injured, then sometimes you get annoyed and think that players are time wasting.
“I am 100 per cent sure if he knew what the injury might be, he would never do that.
“It doesn’t look great if Conor has the injury which we fear he might have.”
Arsenal player ratings vs Liverpool
ARSENAL failed to take full advantage of Man City’s slip-up as they could only draw 0-0 with Liverpool.
Despite this, the result extended the Gunners’ lead at the top of the table to six points.
Here’s how the players rated…
David Raya – 6
Caught up in some miscommunication with William Saliba, which almost gifted Liverpool the lead.
Enjoyed a quiet night other than that as Liverpool failed to have a single shot on target.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Got in behind Liverpool’s defence a few times during the first half and linked up nicely with Bukayo Saka.
The final ball was lacking, though, and he could not make Liverpool pay.
William Saliba – 6
Almost gifted Liverpool the lead after a rare error mix up with David Raya midway through the first half.
The Frenchman’s pass back to Raya was heavy and the Gunners were very nearly punished, but Conor Bradley hit the crossbar.
Gabriel – 7
Dealt well with Wirtz, who was having to fill in as a No9 due to Liverpool’s injury issues.
Dominant in the air and made a couple of big blocks when needed.
Piero Hincapie – 6
Steady stuff from the Ecuadorian, who tried to get forward on the overlap when he could.
Struck down by injury before the hour mark, though, and was forced to come off. Arsenal’s defensive injury woes continue.
Martin Odegaard – 5
The Norwegian has been excellent recently, but he could not get going tonight.
The odd nice touch and pass, however he could not open up Liverpool’s deep defence. Frustrating.
Martin Zubimendi – 7
Snapped into tackles early on as he tried to set the tone.
One of the better players, especially in the opening 45 minutes, when he misplaced just three of his 36 passes.
Declan Rice – 6
Involved in a flare-up with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk during what was otherwise a quiet first half.
He was Arsenal’s hero at the weekend during the win over Bournemouth, but failed to boss this game.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Back in the starting XI after coming off the bench during last Saturday’s win at Bournemouth.
Arsenal’s brightest spark going forward, but that was not hard. Troubled Milos Kerkez with the odd mazy run.
Viktor Gyokeres – 4
Managed just eight touches during his 64 minutes on the pitch. That is the Swede’s lowest amount in an Arsenal game when he has played at least 20 minutes.
Just not in the game at all and looks so low on confidence.
Leandro Trossard – 5
Returned to the team after being a second-half substitute at Bournemouth and went close with one effort in the first half.
Had his heart in his mouth when VAR checked if he had given away a penalty for a tackle on Florian Wirtz, but survived.
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Myles Lewis-Skelly (Hincapie 57’) – 5
On earlier than expected after Hincapie was forced to come off. Struggled to deal with the pace of Jeremie Frimpong and was caught out a few times.
Gabriel Martinelli (Trossard 64’) – 5
His performance was summed up by a moment where he skinned two Liverpool players, and then fluffed his lines. Caught up in handbags late on when tempers flared after Bradley injured his knee.
Gabriel Jesus (Gyokeres 64’) – 6
Looked sharper than Gyokeres and brought a bit of a spark to Arsenal’s attack. Drew a save from Alisson with a late header. Surely he gets the nod for the next Prem game?
Noni Madueke (Saka 78’) – N/A
Eberechi Eze (Odegaard 78’) – N/A
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