Mikel Arteta has expressed his admiration for Gabriel Martinelli following the Brazilian winger’s £60m transfer from Arsenal to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, calling it a “pleasure” to collaborate with the player, despite the circumstances of his exit.
Softfootball reports that Martinelli’s journey with Arsenal has come to an end after seven years. He had established himself as a key player since joining from Ituano at the age of 18 in 2019.
During his tenure at Arsenal, the 25-year-old participated in close to 300 matches, contributing to 98 goals and playing a vital role in the team’s progress under Arteta.
In the weeks leading up to his departure, however, uncertainty loomed over Martinelli’s future. He was absent from the squad during Arsenal’s Community Shield matchup against Manchester City and was also excluded from the Premier League victories over Coventry City and Aston Villa.
His absence raised concerns, particularly from former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, who expressed that the way Martinelli was treated was “uncomfortable,” emphasizing that he should have received “more respect” for his contributions to the club.
Arteta, in addressing the winger’s exit, chose to emphasize Martinelli’s overall impact.
Gratitude. It’s been a pleasure to work with him, to be part of this journey with him
Arteta shared.
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 remarks were made shortly after Martinelli posted a heartfelt farewell to Arsenal fans and staff on social media.
In his message, Martinelli reminisced about the fears and anxieties he faced as a young player when moving to England from Ituano in 2019.
He also highlighted his accomplishments during his time with Arsenal, such as winning the FA Cup, Community Shield, and recently 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 conveyed his gratitude to Arsenal’s fans, teammates, and backroom personnel as he concluded his emotional farewell.
Significantly, he did not reference Arteta in his goodbye message, adding a layer of complexity to a departure that had already garnered attention due to his exclusion from the initial matches of the season.
Regardless of this omission, Arteta commended Martinelli’s growth and contributions, recognizing the crucial role he played during his time at the club.
Martinelli is set to embark on a new journey with Al-Hilal, transitioning from an inexperienced teenager to a recognized Brazilian international and a key figure during the Arteta era after seven seasons with Arsenal.
