Gabriel Martinelli’s £60m Transfer to Al-Hilal Marks Emotional Arsenal Exit with Notable Arteta Snub

Gabriel Martinelli has finalized a club-record transfer from Arsenal to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal for £60 million. The 25-year-old Brazilian winger, who spent seven years at the Emirates Stadium, posted a heartfelt farewell message that surprisingly left out manager Mikel Arteta, amid reports of a falling out between the two.

Sudden Breakdown with Arteta Sparks Big Transfer

Martinelli’s departure came after a swift deterioration in his relationship with Arteta. Despite playing a key role in Arsenal’s historic Premier League title last season, he found himself frozen out of recent matchday squads, missing important fixtures like the Community Shield win and the opening league game against Coventry City.

Arteta reportedly informed Martinelli that he no longer fit into his tactical plans, which cleared the way for the lucrative move to the Middle East. Martinelli, entering the last year of his contract, rejected an offer from Turkish side Galatasaray before agreeing to the deal with Al-Hilal. He was officially unveiled by the Riyadh-based club after completing his medical earlier this week.

Farewell Message Omits Arsenal Manager

In his emotional social media post, Martinelli expressed gratitude to many at Arsenal but made no mention of 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 continued, highlighting his family’s support through the journey:

“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.”

He closed with a tearful goodbye:

“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.”

Locker Room Tensions and Arsenal’s Rebuild

Martinelli’s exit reportedly stirred unrest among Arsenal players, with senior squad members unhappy about his exclusion over the summer. Former striker Ian Wright voiced his discomfort about how Martinelli was treated, telling Sky Sports:

“The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable.”

In response, Arsenal have acted quickly to reshape their left wing. They signed Christos Tzolis for £34 million and are using Eberechi Eze as a backup. The club also made an unsuccessful attempt to sign Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

Martinelli’s Next Chapter in Saudi Arabia

Martinelli leaves England after making 191 Premier League appearances. At Al-Hilal, he joins a star-studded squad managed by Simone Inzaghi. Among his new teammates are Ollie Watkins and Crysencio Summerville, both recent arrivals in Riyadh.

Al-Hilal currently compete fiercely at the top of the Saudi Pro League against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. Inzaghi will expect Martinelli to contribute immediately to the club’s ambitions.

Upcoming Fixtures

• Saudi Pro League: Al Shabab vs Al Hilal – 4 Sept 2026, 20:00
• Premier League: Arsenal vs Chelsea – 6 Sept 2026, 17:30