Neville Blasts Martinelli as "Idiot" Over Bradley Injury Row; Claims Liverpool Should Have Retaliated

Arsenal and Liverpool served up a thoroughly forgettable spectacle on Thursday evening, the rain-soaked Emirates producing little more than a goalless stalemate. Both sides could reasonably view a point as a decent return, though Gunners supporters will harbour quiet frustrations about their team's failure to impose themselves on proceedings.

The evening's only moment of genuine drama erupted late on when Conor Bradley crumpled to the turf with what looked a nasty injury. As the Northern Ireland right-back lay waiting for treatment, Gabriel Martinelli's reaction proved the flashpoint—the Arsenal forward hurled the ball at the stricken player before attempting to shepherd him off the pitch, despite Bradley not actually having departed the field of play. The Liverpool contingent reacted with understandable fury to what unfolded.

Speaking from the Sky Sports gantry, Gary Neville was apoplectic. The Manchester United legend didn't mince words, branding the Arsenal man an "idiot" and expressing bewilderment that none of Liverpool's players had taken the opportunity to respond physically and accept the inevitable red card.

"I am surprised one of the Liverpool players hasn't gone over and had a right pop at him. I think an apology is needed," Neville declared. "I'm fuming with Martinelli. I don't know how a Liverpool player didn't go and whack him and take the red card. Absolutely disgraceful."

Whether Martinelli faces any disciplinary action remains to be seen. Should Bradley's injury prove serious, the authorities may well decide to make an example of the Arsenal forward as a deterrent against similar future incidents. The sight of Bradley being carried off the pitch in obvious distress hardly augurs well for either the player's recovery prospects or Martinelli's prospects of escaping censure.