Gabriel Martinelli has completed his departure from Arsenal, signing with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in a club-record £60 million transfer. The Brazilian winger's seven-year spell at the Emirates Stadium ends following a reported breakdown with manager Mikel Arteta, who excluded him from recent matchday squads despite his contributions to last season's Premier League title bid.
The 25-year-old was officially unveiled in Riyadh on Thursday after passing his medical earlier in the week. Martinelli had rejected interest from Turkish outfit Galatasaray before settling on the Saudi move, which comes after he entered the final year of his Arsenal contract. His exit marks a significant shift in the club's left-wing strategy following years of inconsistent form and recurring injury problems that limited his availability.
Emotional Farewell and the Arteta Omission
Martinelli's farewell message on social media notably excluded Arteta from his list of acknowledgements. The Brazilian thanked the coaching staff, medical team, kit personnel, and his teammates individually, but made no mention of the manager who had informed him he was no longer part of his tactical vision. His statement read: "I can only thank the staff and my teammates" before going on to express gratitude to every department at the club except leadership. The omission sparked debate among supporters and former players about the nature of their relationship.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright publicly voiced concerns about Martinelli's treatment, telling Sky Sports the situation left him uncomfortable. The Brazilian's exclusion from the Community Shield and the opening Premier League fixture against Coventry City had already signalled his departure was imminent, with Arteta making his intentions explicit during pre-season.
Arsenal's Attacking Overhaul
Arsenal have moved quickly to reshape their attacking options this summer. The club secured left-winger Christos Tzolis in a £34 million deal and activated backup solutions with inverted winger Eberechi Eze. A reported bid for Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior ultimately failed to materialise, leaving Arteta to rely on his newly assembled unit to maintain momentum in their Premier League title defence.
- Martinelli made 191 Premier League appearances for Arsenal across seven seasons
- Al-Hilal now boasts new signings including Ollie Watkins and Crysencio Summerville
- Manager Simone Inzaghi leads the Saudi Pro League side in their domestic and continental ambitions
Martinelli joins an Al-Hilal squad competing for supremacy in the Saudi Pro League against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr. Manager Simone Inzaghi will expect immediate contributions from his £60 million investment as the Riyadh club pursues domestic and potential Asian Champions League honours. Meanwhile, Arsenal face the challenge of integrating their revamped attacking setup while managing residual squad tensions heading into a critical title-defence campaign.
