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A non-league manager has criticised Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli for his behaviour in the closing stages of the Gunners' 0-0 draw with Liverpool and thinks Mikel Arteta should have done more
Non-league boss Marc White believes Mikel Arteta ought to have imposed a fine on Gabriel Martinelli following his clash with Conor Bradley.
The Arsenal forward faced widespread criticism for his conduct during the dying moments of the Gunners' goalless stalemate against Liverpool. In the final stages of the Premier League encounter, Liverpool's Bradley kicked the ball into touch but suffered a knee injury in doing so.
Martinelli reacted angrily as the 22-year-old lay on the turf, attempting to shove him off whilst also dropping the ball onto him. Bradley was subsequently carried off on a stretcher and has since had an operation for what proved to be a season-ending knee injury, while Martinelli escaped with just a booking.
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Dorking Wanderers owner and manager White, never one to mince his words, reckons Arsenal boss Arteta should have hit the Brazilian with an internal sanction, insisting he would have dished out a monetary penalty had one of his own players behaved similarly.
"If I were the Arsenal manager I would have fined Martinelli," White said on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet. "He should have just said he was going to fine him a certain amount of money.
"You can't do that stuff. You can't do what Martinelli did. It was really bad. He represents your team and your club and so he should have said he was going to fine him. That's what he should have done."
Ex-Manchester City and Everton defender Joleon Lescott concurred with White regarding Martinelli's behaviour, expressing disbelief at the 24-year-old's actions.
Lescott commented: "I thought it was all insane that he was even trying to do those things like chucking the ball at him. Regardless of the injury you just don't do it."
In response to the incident, Arteta suggested that if Martinelli had been aware of Bradley's injury, his reaction would have been different.
The Gunners boss said post-match: "Knowing Gabby, if anybody knows Gabby, it's an incredibly lovely guy and probably he didn't realise what happened. I will have a word with him now to understand that, but probably he didn't recognise what happened."
Bradley took to social media this week to update fans on his injury status, revealing that he has undergone successful surgery and is eager for his return to Liverpool in the distant future.
"A big blow but surgery is done so the comeback starts now. It won't be for a little while but I already can't wait to get back playing for Liverpool and Northern Ireland," Bradley penned. "Thanks for all the support."
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