Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken warmly about Gabriel Martinelli's contribution to the club, following the Brazilian winger's £60 million move to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal, a deal that stands as the largest sale in Arsenal's history, surpassing the £35 million Liverpool paid for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back in 2017.
Martinelli's exit brought an end to a seven-year association with the north London club, during which he made close to 300 appearances after arriving in 2019 as an 18-year-old signing from Brazilian outfit Ituano. Despite the significant sum involved and the player's lengthy service, his farewell message to supporters notably omitted any reference to Arteta, a detail that did not go unnoticed given the winger had been absent from matchday squads in the buildup to his departure, missing the Community Shield triumph over Manchester City as well as league wins against Coventry and Aston Villa.
That omission, combined with his reduced role before the move, prompted former Gunners forward Ian Wright to voice discomfort over how Martinelli had been treated in his final weeks at the club, suggesting the player warranted greater recognition for his contributions.
When questioned on the departure, Arteta chose to focus on appreciation rather than address the social media snub directly. "Gratitude. It's been a pleasure to work with him, to be part of this journey with him," the Spaniard said. "He's gone through a huge transformation, both in his personal and professional side, his ambition, his love for the game and how he has helped us to grow and achieve our goals. He's been a critical player ... [but] the story ends."
In his own farewell post, Martinelli reflected extensively on the journey that took him from a nervous teenager to an established first-team player at one of English football's biggest clubs. He described arriving at Arsenal carrying "anxiety, fear and doubts," before going on to lift major honours with the club, including the FA Cup, the Community Shield, and eventually a Premier League title.
The 25-year-old also touched on his achievements on the international stage during his time as an Arsenal player, referencing an Olympic gold medal with Brazil, appearances at two World Cups, and a goal he described as particularly special. He noted that across his time in England, he amassed 98 goal contributions for the Gunners.
"Today, it is time to close a chapter of this seven-year story," Martinelli wrote. "I would like to thank everyone who was part of this journey. To Arsenal, thank you for believing in me and opening the doors for me when I was just a boy with a dream."
He extended particular thanks to the club's supporters, acknowledging their backing through both triumphant and testing periods of his career in London. "To the fans, thank you for supporting me throughout all these years, through the moments of joy and difficult ones, I will be forever grateful," he added, referencing his switch from squad number 35 early in his career to number 11 later on. "Once a Gunner, always a Gunner."
Martinelli's move to Al-Hilal represents the latest high-profile transfer to the Saudi Pro League, continuing a trend of top European talent making the switch to the Middle East. For Arsenal, the record-breaking fee offers significant financial flexibility, even as questions linger over the nature of the winger's exit and the apparent tension surrounding his final months at the Emirates Stadium.
Based on reporting from The Independent (PA).