The Emirates Stadium was already tense before the final whistle, but what happened in the final minutes of Arsenal’s goalless draw against Liverpool turned frustration into pure anger, not just among fans in the stadium, but also among former players watching from the Sky Sports studio and commentary box. It was supposed to be a huge night for Arsenal, a night where they could stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League table and send a message to everyone chasing them. Instead, it ended with boos, debates, and a moment that has now become the main talking point of the entire match.
Arsenal came into the game knowing the opportunity in front of them. Manchester City had dropped points the night before. Aston Villa had also failed to win. The path was clear. Beat Liverpool and the gap at the top would grow wider. Confidence was high. The Emirates was loud. Mikel Arteta looked focused and intense on the touchline. His players looked ready. But football rarely follows the script fans write in their heads.
Liverpool arrived in North London weakened, missing key attacking players and carrying injury problems that would have worried any manager. Mohamed Salah was away, Alexander Isak was unavailable, and Hugo Ekitike was also sidelined. On paper, this was the perfect moment for Arsenal to strike. Yet from the first whistle, it was clear this would not be easy. Liverpool were organised, disciplined, and stubborn. They defended deep, pressed smartly, and refused to be pulled apart.
As the match dragged on with no goals, frustration began to creep in. Arsenal had the ball, Arsenal had the crowd, but Arsenal did not have the breakthrough. Chances came and went. Liverpool’s defenders threw themselves in front of shots. Alisson made key saves. Virgil van Dijk was immense, calm under pressure, winning battles and leading from the back. The longer the game stayed level, the more nervous the atmosphere became.
Then, in the dying moments of the match, everything boiled over.
Conor Bradley went down injured. There was no challenge. No contact. He simply collapsed to the turf and immediately looked to be in serious pain. His reaction told the story. This was not time-wasting. This was not gamesmanship. This was a player genuinely hurt. The medical staff rushed on. The Liverpool bench stood up. The crowd fell quiet.
But in that moment, Gabriel Martinelli made a decision that would change the entire narrative of the night.
Instead of stepping away, instead of showing concern, Martinelli attempted to push Bradley off the pitch so that play could restart quickly. It was a small action, but one loaded with meaning. Cameras caught it. Commentators saw it instantly. And within seconds, outrage exploded.
Gary Neville, on commentary for Sky Sports, could not believe what he was seeing. His voice rose. His tone changed. The calm analysis disappeared, replaced by pure anger. He did not hold back. He called Martinelli an idiot on live television. He questioned his behaviour. He demanded an apology. He went even further, saying he was surprised Liverpool players had not reacted more strongly in the moment.
Neville made it clear this was not about rivalry. This was about basic respect. He pointed out that every footballer knows the difference between a player who is faking an injury and one who is genuinely hurt. He said Martinelli crossed a line. When Martinelli then threw the ball in frustration, Neville’s anger only grew. He called it “so poor” and said the incident left him absolutely fuming.
As the footage replayed again and again, the reaction only intensified.
In the Sky Sports studio, Roy Keane was watching. And if there is one thing football fans know, it is that Roy Keane does not tolerate behaviour he sees as disrespectful or weak. His response was calm at first, but his words were brutal. He said he did not like it at all. He spoke from experience, recalling a time when he himself had been injured and an opponent stood over him. He explained that players know when someone is genuinely hurt. There is a feeling. There is a look. There is no confusion.
Keane described Martinelli’s actions in detail. Standing over the injured player. Throwing the ball at him. Even appearing to put a knee into him in an attempt to force him off the pitch. To Keane, this was not passion. It was not hunger. It was disgraceful behaviour. He said he was surprised Liverpool players did not react more strongly. He said it was not good scenes for the game. And like Neville, he said Martinelli should apologise.
These were not casual comments. These were strong words from two former Manchester United captains who have seen everything football has to offer. When players like Neville and Keane speak like this, people listen.
Meanwhile, Conor Bradley was eventually stretchered off the pitch. His night ended in pain and disappointment. Another injury added to Liverpool’s growing list. As he was carried away, the contrast between his condition and Martinelli’s earlier actions became even sharper.
When the final whistle blew moments later, the 0-0 scoreline felt almost secondary. Arsenal had failed to take advantage of a golden opportunity. Liverpool had survived. But the image everyone was talking about was not a missed chance or a great save. It was that moment near the touchline.
The atmosphere at full-time was flat. Arsenal remained six points clear at the top of the table, but it did not feel like a victory. Fans expected more. They wanted a statement. Instead, they were left with frustration and controversy. Questions began to surface immediately. Questions about discipline. Questions about mentality. Questions about whether emotions got the better of a young player on a big stage.
For Martinelli, this was supposed to be another night where his energy and directness shone. Instead, it became a night where his judgement was questioned by some of the biggest voices in English football. Social media exploded within minutes. Clips were shared. Opinions were formed. Some defended him, saying he was desperate to win. Others criticised him, agreeing with Neville and Keane that there is a line you do not cross.
Liverpool fans were furious. Arsenal fans were divided. Neutral fans debated what it all meant. Was it just a moment of frustration blown out of proportion? Or was it a sign of something deeper, a lack of composure under pressure?
What made the situation even more intense was the context of the title race. Arsenal are no longer the chasing team. They are the leaders. With that comes responsibility. Every action is magnified. Every mistake is analysed. Every moment is judged more harshly.
Liverpool, for their part, left the Emirates with pride. They were missing key players. They were under pressure for long spells. Yet they stood firm. Their defence held strong. Their goalkeeper was excellent. And when one of their young players went down injured, their anger at what followed was understandable.
In the days after the match, the incident continued to dominate headlines. Pundits replayed it. Fans argued about it. Former players weighed in. Some said Martinelli was wrong. Some said football has become too soft. But almost everyone agreed on one thing. It overshadowed what was supposed to be a massive Premier League clash.
Football is an emotional game. It is played at speed. Decisions are made in split seconds. But respect remains a core part of the sport. That is why Neville and Keane reacted so strongly. To them, it was not about Arsenal versus Liverpool. It was about right and wrong on a football pitch.
As Arsenal move forward in their title chase, this match will be remembered not for the lack of goals, but for the moment tempers flared. For Liverpool, it will be remembered as another display of resilience in a difficult period. For Martinelli, it may become a learning moment, one that follows him for a while.
The Premier League is unforgiving. Every action is recorded. Every mistake lives forever online. And on a night when Arsenal needed calm, control, and clarity, one moment of frustration became the loudest noise in the stadium.
Whether Martinelli apologises or not, whether fans move on or not, the incident has already become part of the story of this season. A reminder that in the biggest moments, how you behave can matter just as much as how you play.
