FUMING Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli accused Brentford captain Christian Norgaard of a “nasty” foul that could have broken his leg.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was also furious, claiming Norgaard should have received a red card instead of a yellow for the first-half scissor tackle from behind.
Winger Martinelli insisted: “In the moment, if my foot was on the floor, he could break my leg.
“He said he didn’t mean it. I believe him but still he could have broken my leg. For me it was red. It was nasty.”
Arteta let rip at the fourth official as Martinelli lay stricken on the ground.
The Gunners boss said: “My reaction tells you everything.”
Brentford chief Thomas Frank disagreed, saying: “It was a strong yellow — but it was a yellow.”
Norgaard and Martinelli are believed to have shaken hands at half-time but the fallout continued after the game.
Ex-top ref Mark Halsey agreed with Arsenal, adding: “A challenge that endangers a player’s safety with excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned with a red card.
“This was a scissor-challenge from behind — that’s serious foul play.
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“It could have resulted in a serious injury for Martinelli.”
The Gunners took the lead through Thomas Partey’s second-half goal.
But they were pegged back as Brentford striker Yoane Wissa hooked in his 15th Premier League strike of the season.
The draw leaves the Gunners ten points behind leaders Liverpool and for the first time, Arteta all but conceded the title.
And the Arsenal boss admitted his team’s season now hinges on the Champions League quarter-final, with the Gunners heading for Real Madrid on Wednesday to defend a 3-0 lead from their first-leg win.
Arteta said: “Today, what we wanted to do was increase the probability of us really challenging for what we are looking for in the Premier League.
“With that result, obviously, it’s more unlikely to happen. There are still six games in the Premier League which are going to be really important.
“But, for sure, now it’s all about Wednesday.”
Frank hailed Wissa’s fabulous season in front of goal and his team’s resilience in coming from a goal down to keep their hopes of European football next season alive.
The Brentford boss said: “How many teams have a No 9 who has scored 15 goals? It is maybe only Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland.
“So that is exceptional from Wissa, big credit to him, and hopefully also to the way we play and the chances we create.
“It is a very good point against a very good Arsenal team that beat Real Madrid four days ago.
“Fighting back to get to 1-1 shows the character in our team.
“We’d love to compete for Europe and aim for as high as possible.”
Saubcisuyz
1
9
liwlmort
0
if it was Arsenal player who did that hmmmm it would have been a straight red card without going to VAR
not surprised if it was an ARSENAL player it would be RED immediately.....exactly foul against MAC with EVERTON captain..MANU..ARSENAL..LIVERPOOL get the shitty end of the stick everytime...useless so called REFS.......
gmikearts007
0
Arteta should cramp handa for that tackle and laugh till he can Lough no more, last week it was on Liverpool when a Fulham player who happens to to be a captain had a nasty horrible challenge on McAlister , the Gunners coach said something, and Liverpool fans said let it happen to your player and see what you would say, look now
tell me what he said cos I don't know how a tackle on a Liverpool player was a concern to an Arsenal manager! you guys should just stop telling lies
Nuobeintz
1
if it was Arsenal player who did that hmmmm it would have been a straight red card without going to VAR
souabiry
2
the yellow card can still be upgraded to red?
Boyklnosu
0
For sure that was a very bad challenge on Martinelli and was suppose to be a straight red
malablata
0
Rice and Trossard red cards, this one, no red, and they called it competition. Sick people gifting Liverpool EPL and think we will waste our time and energy on these games. They saw our fans leaving, and this is how sick we will make our EPL games from now to the end of the season.
biuaelnot
0
Tackling is part of soccer game. Play tennis if you don't want sb to touch you.
which tackles are you referring to,when reds are issued for certain tackles does it mean those players go to play tennis.i struggle to understand which football rules do you understand
Hidailmrs
0
some of you who are just bursting***t in talking and commenting better learn something as your of watching this sporting starts during gametime days because commenting without knowledge is embarrassing to people who understands everything
rowcdmnru
0
the whole arsenal stuff and fans are Bs
A heart full of hatred is visible from the words coming from a dirty mouth like yours.......lo I'm surprised of other humans like you!
latsunami
0
the whole arsenal stuff and fans are Bs
latsunami
0
imagine breaking your leg for nothing when you are actually going to win nothing 😔
TheOddOne
0
i doubt he can break his leg. nonsense talm by Martinelli
KunleSpur01
0
we will see how lucky man United will be against New castle today
Man utd live rent free in ur head. Worry abt ur sef.
Cakadeimrt
0
we will see how lucky man United will be against New castle today
remceoprty
1
every foul against arsenal is yellow 💛 y?
Weoabclmsy
0
Tackling is part of soccer game. Play tennis if you don't want sb to touch you.
pozcemot
1
Arteta should cramp handa for that tackle and laugh till he can Lough no more, last week it was on Liverpool when a Fulham player who happens to to be a captain had a nasty horrible challenge on McAlister , the Gunners coach said something, and Liverpool fans said let it happen to your player and see what you would say, look now
Riwbdelmnu
1
w.e.a.k
GLEEFULLY
1
Lucky Arsenal 🤓