Mikel Arteta has paid tribute to Gabriel Martinelli following the Brazilian winger’s £60m move from Arsenal to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, insisting it was a “pleasure” to work with the forward despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.
Softfootball understands that Martinelli brought an end to a seven-year spell with Arsenal after completing his move to Al-Hilal, having established himself as an important member of the squad since arriving from Brazilian side Ituano as an 18-year-old in 2019.
The 25-year-old made nearly 300 appearances for the Gunners during his time in north London, contributing 98 goal involvements and playing a significant role in Arsenal’s development under Arteta.
However, his final weeks at the club were dominated by uncertainty over his future. Martinelli was left out of Arsenal’s squad for their Community Shield victory over Manchester City before also missing the Premier League wins against Coventry City and Aston Villa.
The decision to leave him out prompted criticism from former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, who admitted that the treatment of Martinelli made him feel “uncomfortable” and argued that the Brazilian deserved “more respect” for his contribution to the club.
Arteta, however, chose to focus on Martinelli’s overall contribution when asked about the winger’s departure.
Gratitude. It’s been a pleasure to work with him, to be part of this journey with him
Arteta 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.
Arteta’s comments came shortly after Martinelli published an emotional farewell message to Arsenal and the club’s supporters on social media.
The Brazilian reflected on the uncertainty he experienced when he first arrived in England from Ituano in 2019, describing himself as a young player carrying “anxiety, fear and doubts.
Martinelli went on to outline the achievements he enjoyed during his Arsenal career, including winning the FA Cup, Community Shield and eventually becoming a Premier League champion.
“Yes, he did it,” Martinelli wrote.
He became an FA Cup champion, won the Community Shield and finally achieved the one he had waited so long for – becoming a Premier League champion.
With Brazil, he won an Olympic gold medal, played in two World Cups, and scored a very special goal, and here, with Arsenal, he reached 98 goal contributions.
Martinelli thanked Arsenal’s supporters, teammates and members of the club’s backroom staff as he brought his emotional message to an end.
Notably, however, the winger did not mention Arteta in his farewell post, adding another layer of intrigue to an exit that had already attracted attention because of his omission from Arsenal’s opening fixtures.
Despite that apparent omission, Arteta publicly praised Martinelli’s transformation and contribution to the club, acknowledging the role the Brazilian played throughout his tenure.
Martinelli now begins a new chapter with Al-Hilal, leaving Arsenal after seven seasons in which he developed from an inexperienced teenager into an established Brazil international and one of the most recognisable players of the Arteta era.
