Gabriel Martinelli’s departure from Arsenal has continued to generate discussion among supporters, with growing attention surrounding the Brazilian winger’s relationship with manager Mikel Arteta during the final weeks of his seven-year spell at the Emirates Stadium.
Martinelli officially left Arsenal for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in a deal reported to be worth around £60 million, making him the club’s record sale. The transfer brought an end to a journey that began in 2019, when the Brazilian arrived from Ituano as an 18-year-old with limited expectations but quickly developed into one of Arsenal’s most exciting attacking players.
Although Martinelli has not publicly accused Arteta of forcing him out, the circumstances surrounding his departure have led to speculation about whether the winger was unhappy with the way his Arsenal career ended.
For a player who had spent seven seasons at the club, winning the FA Cup, Community Shield and Premier League title, his exit came relatively suddenly. Martinelli was left out of Arsenal’s squad for the Community Shield against Manchester City and subsequently missed the club’s opening Premier League fixtures against Coventry City and Aston Villa. Arteta had made it clear that the Brazilian could struggle for regular playing time if he remained in north London.
That situation reportedly played a major role in Martinelli’s decision to consider his future.
A Difficult Final Chapter
Martinelli’s Arsenal career had experienced several different phases under Arteta.
When the Spanish manager initially took charge, Martinelli was regarded as one of the club’s brightest young talents. His energy, direct running and willingness to attack defenders made him a popular figure among supporters.
Over time, however, competition for places increased.
Arsenal strengthened their attacking options and Martinelli found himself competing with other players for a starting position on the left side. Last season, he remained involved in the squad, making 53 appearances in all competitions and scoring 11 goals as Arsenal won the Premier League title. However, he reportedly started only 11 Premier League matches during that campaign.
The situation became even more complicated during the summer.
Arsenal were looking to improve their attacking options while Martinelli’s position became one of the areas where competition was particularly intense. Eventually, the club decided to accept Al-Hilal’s offer.
From Martinelli’s perspective, the issue was not simply about leaving Arsenal. It was also about how his final days at a club he had represented since he was a teenager were handled.
Martinelli’s Emotional Goodbye
The Brazilian’s farewell message to Arsenal attracted significant attention.
Martinelli thanked the club, supporters, teammates and members of the backroom staff for their contribution to his career. He reflected on arriving in London as a young player with anxiety, fear and doubts and leaving having achieved major honours.
He also pointed to his development from wearing the number 35 shirt to becoming Arsenal’s number 11.
However, supporters noticed that Martinelli did not specifically mention Arteta in his farewell message.
That omission generated speculation about their relationship, although it should not automatically be interpreted as proof of a personal disagreement.
The winger described his Arsenal journey with considerable emotion and made clear that the club had played a major role in his development.
For many Arsenal supporters, his departure therefore represented the end of an important era.
Ian Wright Raises Questions
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright also expressed discomfort with the circumstances surrounding Martinelli’s departure.
Wright questioned the way the player had been treated after being left out of Arsenal’s early-season squads. He argued that if the club had decided it was time for Martinelli to move on, there should still have been consideration for the player’s wishes and circumstances.
Those comments added another layer to the discussion.
They also created questions about whether Martinelli had genuinely wanted to leave Arsenal or whether he felt the circumstances at the club had effectively pushed him toward an exit.
Reports indicated that Martinelli had previously turned down a move to Galatasaray earlier in the summer, before eventually agreeing to join Al-Hilal.
That sequence of events has fueled the perception that the Saudi move was influenced heavily by the changing situation at Arsenal.
Arteta’s Response
Arteta has publicly spoken positively about Martinelli despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.
When asked about the Brazilian, the Arsenal manager expressed gratitude and described Martinelli as an important player who had gone through significant personal and professional development during their time together.
Arteta also said Martinelli had been a critical player in Arsenal’s journey, while acknowledging that the player’s story with the club had now ended.
Before Martinelli’s departure was completed, Arteta had also indicated that decisions regarding the winger’s future would be made collectively.
That suggests the manager viewed the transfer as a club decision rather than something driven solely by him. Reuters reported that Arteta said any outcome involving Martinelli would come because everybody agreed to it.
Nevertheless, the perception among some supporters remains that Arteta’s tactical decisions played an important role in Martinelli losing his place.
A Record Sale
From Arsenal’s financial perspective, Martinelli’s transfer represented a significant transaction.
The reported £60 million fee made him the most expensive player Arsenal had ever sold at the time, surpassing the previous record associated with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move to Liverpool.
Martinelli’s departure also generated questions about Arsenal’s squad depth.
The Gunners had already allowed Leandro Trossard to leave for Besiktas, while Gabriel Jesus moved to Barcelona. Arsenal brought in Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge but did not replace every attacking departure with a direct equivalent.
That made Martinelli’s exit particularly significant.
He had been capable of playing on either wing and offered pace, attacking movement and experience in major matches.
What Happens Next?
Martinelli now has an opportunity to begin a completely new chapter at Al-Hilal.
The Brazilian leaves Arsenal with almost 300 appearances and 62 goals, alongside major trophies and numerous memorable performances.
Whether he eventually looks back on his Arsenal departure with regret or sees it as the necessary next step in his career remains to be seen.
What is clear is that his final months in north London were complicated.
The winger went from being an important part of Arsenal’s long-term project to being left outside the matchday squad and eventually transferred to Saudi Arabia.
For supporters, the debate will likely continue over whether Martinelli should have been given another opportunity under Arteta or whether the time had simply come for both parties to move in different directions.
For Martinelli himself, the priority will now be establishing himself at Al-Hilal and proving that the player who once electrified the Emirates Stadium still has plenty to offer.
His Arsenal chapter has closed, but the circumstances surrounding his exit are likely to remain a talking point for some time.
