‘Nothing else to do’ – Martin Keown accuses Gary Neville of inflaming Gabriel Martinelli furore in scathing verdict

Martin Keown has leaped to the defence of Gabriel Martinelli after his controversial antics against Liverpool.

The Arsenal forward was publicly criticised after attempting to push Conor Bradley off the pitch during the closing stages of Thursday’s goalless draw.

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Bradley had gone down injured during stoppage time before leaving the pitch on a stretcher.

The severity of his injury, paired with Martinelli’s behaviour, saw his antics labelled ‘disgraceful’ by Gary Neville on commentary.

However, Keown has now hit out at the Sky Sports pundit for his remarks.

Discussing the incident on the White & Jordan show, he said: “Just trying to inflame the situation when he’s [Gary Neville] got nothing else to do in the commentary position.

“He was bored, it wasn’t a great game. He was making that the narrative.”

Keown added: “Gabriel Martinelli is one of the nicest people I’ve met in football. He’s very courteous, he speaks to me on the touchline.

“When I saw what was happening, I thought it was a misinterpretation from himself.

“[Jeremie] Frimpong was on the floor two or three times, the ball was begging to be put out of play, Arsenal didn’t do that.

“It just had this sort of tetchiness around the game and he misread that. He made his apology and an awful lot was made from it.”

Martinelli later apologised for his behaviour on social media following the match.

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He also revealed he had spoken to Bradley privately to issue a further apology to the Liverpool defender.

The Brazilian responded to the furore surrounding his antics with a hat-trick for Arsenal as they beat Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Bradley has been ruled out for the rest of the season as he requires surgery on the knee injury suffered against the Gunners.

What did Gary Neville say?

Keown’s comments come after Neville slammed Martinelli during Sky Sports’ coverage of the Premier League clash.

Speaking on commentary, the former Manchester United defender exclaimed: “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.”

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Following the final whistle, Neville added: “I’m actually fuming with Martinelli.

“Honestly, I don’t know how the Liverpool players didn’t go over there and whack him, to be honest with you and take a red card. Absolutely disgraceful, that.”

Martinelli was booked for shoving Bradley after the melee which followed the incident.

However, he is not expected to face any further punishment for his behaviour.