Gabriel Martinelli reveals that a challenge from Christian Norgaard could have resulted in a severe leg injury, including a fracture, prior to Arsenal’s match against Real Madrid.
Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli has expressed his frustration following a dangerous tackle by Brentford captain Christian Norgaard during their Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium. The match ended in a 1-1 stalemate, but the incident has sparked heated debates about player safety and officiating standards.
In the first half, Norgaard executed a lunging two-footed tackle on Martinelli, leaving the Brazilian winger visibly shaken. Referee Simon Hooper issued a yellow card for the challenge, a decision that enraged Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and the home crowd. VAR opted not to upgrade the punishment to a red card, further fueling the controversy.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Martinelli did not hold back.
“I didn’t see that again, but in the moment, if my foot was on the floor, he could break my leg,” he said. “He [Norgaard] said he didn’t mean it. I believe him, but still, he could have broke my leg. For me, it was red. I need to see it again to be sure. But for me, it was nasty.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta did not hold back his frustration on the sidelines, with his palpable reaction underscoring his concerns over player welfare and fair play. His on-field demeanor said more than words when addressing the challenge, as he visibly reprimanded the officials involved.
On the flip side, Brentford manager Thomas Frank defended his captain’s actions by asserting that the yellow card was appropriate, dismissing further punishment as unnecessary. Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp weighed in, describing the tackle as dangerous but not necessarily deserving of a red card. “It’s a nasty tackle. An old-fashioned tackle. Some tackles have been eradicated out of the game, but that one hasn’t gone to a red card yet,” Redknapp said.
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