Gabriel Martinelli's £60m Move to Al-Hilal Ends Arsenal Chapter With Sharp Farewell

Gabriel Martinelli Completes Record Transfer to Al-Hilal

Gabriel Martinelli has sealed a £60 million transfer from Arsenal to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, marking the highest fee received by Arsenal for a player. The Brazilian winger, after spending seven years at the Emirates Stadium, shared an emotional farewell message that notably left out Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, amid reported tensions between the two.

End of an Era Following Breakdown with Arteta

Martinelli’s departure comes after a swift deterioration in his relationship with Arteta. Despite playing a role in Arsenal’s historic Premier League title last season, Martinelli was abruptly left out of recent matchday squads, including the Community Shield and the league opener against Coventry City. Arteta informed him he no longer fit into the tactical plans, prompting the lucrative transfer to Saudi Arabia. Martinelli, who had only one year left on his contract, turned down an offer from Turkish club Galatasaray before accepting the move to Al-Hilal.

Farewell Message Omits Arsenal Manager

Once officially announced, Martinelli posted a heartfelt goodbye on social media, expressing gratitude to almost everyone connected with Arsenal except for Arteta. He wrote:

"I can only thank the staff and my teammates. Thank you to the chefs, kit staff, doctors, doormen, security staff, media team, cleaning staff, physios, and every single teammate who has been part of my story from 2019 until today. And to the fans, thank you for everything. Since my first day, you made me feel at home. Every time I stepped on the pitch, despite everything, I tried to give everything I had for this shirt. To Arsenal, thank you for believing in me and giving me the chance to show myself to the world."

He added, "Most of all, I want to thank my family and my wife, who have been by my side throughout this entire journey, giving me all the emotional support I needed to overcome the challenges that only we truly know. It has been a long journey, too much history and now it has come to an end."

Ending with, "I'm writing this with tears in my eyes, so hard to put 7 years into words. From 35 to 11. Once a Gunner, Always a Gunner. Goodbye, and thank you again."

Impact of Departure on Arsenal

Martinelli’s exit reportedly stirred unrest in the Arsenal dressing room. Several senior players expressed disappointment over his exclusion during the summer. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright shared his discomfort about how Martinelli was treated, stating on Sky Sports that it felt unsettling.

To fill the void on the left flank, Arsenal have signed Christos Tzolis for £34 million and are relying on Eberechi Eze as backup, while also having unsuccessfully pursued Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

Career Stats and Future Prospects

• Premier League Appearances: 191
• New Club: Al-Hilal
• Manager at Al-Hilal: Simone Inzaghi
• Fellow New Signings at Al-Hilal: Ollie Watkins, Crysencio Summerville

Martinelli will now compete in the highly competitive Saudi Pro League, where Al-Hilal is battling for top honors alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. Manager Simone Inzaghi expects Martinelli to make an immediate impact.

Looking Ahead: Arsenal’s Title Defense

Arsenal faces the challenge of overcoming any lingering tensions as they defend their Premier League title. Mikel Arteta must quickly integrate his revamped attacking lineup to keep their momentum going early in the campaign.

Meanwhile, Martinelli begins his new chapter in Riyadh, aiming to help Al-Hilal fight for the Saudi Pro League crown.