Mikel Arteta hails Gabriel Martinelli mentality after Conor Bradley controversyBy Edward Elliot, Press AssociationArsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised the mentality of Gabriel Martinelli after he hit the headlines for the right reasons by scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 FA Cup third-round win at Championship strugglers Portsmouth. Martinelli was widely criticised for throwing the ball at injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley and then attempting to push him off the pitch during Thursday’s goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium. “That’s personality, come in and talk on the pitch,” said Arteta. Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino said of Martinelli: “We are really happy for him, he’s a great guy. “Everyone that knows him knows he’s a really kind kid.

Source: Irish Independent January 11, 2026 19:02 UTC