Gabriel Martinelli’s impending departure from Arsenal has brought an emotional end to a seven-year spell in North London, with reports suggesting that the Brazilian winger has been left disappointed by the way his relationship with manager Mikel Arteta developed before his move to Al-Hilal.
Martinelli joined Arsenal from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019 as a relatively unknown teenager, but quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young forwards in the Premier League. His explosive pace, direct running and ability to attack defenders made him a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium.
However, his situation changed dramatically during the latter stages of his Arsenal career. The 25-year-old eventually found himself falling down Arteta’s attacking pecking order, and his limited involvement at the beginning of the new campaign appeared to signal that his future was no longer in North London.
Arsenal have now agreed a club-record transfer with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, with the fee reported at around £55.7 million. The deal will make Martinelli the biggest sale in Arsenal’s history.
A painful ending for Martinelli
For Martinelli, the manner of his departure is believed to be particularly difficult.
The Brazilian had previously been an important player under Arteta and enjoyed some outstanding periods in an Arsenal shirt. During the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, he scored 15 league goals and played a major role as Arsenal challenged Manchester City for the title.
He was viewed at one stage as a long-term cornerstone of Arteta’s project.
But football can change quickly.
Competition for places increased, new attacking players arrived and Martinelli struggled to maintain the consistency he had shown earlier in his Arsenal career. Reports indicated that Arteta had made it clear that the winger was no longer central to his plans.
That decision reportedly left Martinelli disappointed.
Although there has been no confirmed public statement from Martinelli accusing Arteta of mistreatment, reports surrounding his departure have painted a picture of a player who was unhappy with his changing role at the club.
Martinelli left out of Arsenal’s opening games
One of the biggest sources of frustration was Martinelli’s absence from Arsenal’s early competitive fixtures.
Reports stated that the Brazilian had been left out of the squad for Arsenal’s opening two competitive matches of the season as negotiations over his future intensified.
For a player who had spent years fighting for his place and contributing to Arsenal’s progress, being left on the sidelines while his future was being discussed was undoubtedly a difficult situation.
The development also fuelled speculation that Arteta had already made his decision.
Martinelli had previously rejected an approach from Galatasaray, demonstrating that he was not automatically willing to leave Arsenal simply because another club was interested.
His eventual willingness to consider Al-Hilal therefore represented a significant change.
Arteta insists Martinelli is loved
Interestingly, Arteta has publicly attempted to distance himself from the idea that Martinelli was unwanted or disrespected.
When asked about the winger’s situation, Arteta stressed that everyone at Arsenal knows how much they love Martinelli and suggested that whatever happened would be the result of agreement between the relevant parties.
That message contrasts with the perception created by Martinelli’s limited involvement.
From the manager’s perspective, the decision was likely a footballing one. Arteta has consistently shown that he is willing to make difficult decisions when he believes they are necessary to improve Arsenal’s squad.
But from Martinelli’s perspective, the situation could naturally feel different.
A player who had once been regarded as one of Arsenal’s most important young stars was suddenly being told that his future lay elsewhere.
A record-breaking departure
Despite the disappointment surrounding the move, Arsenal have achieved an extraordinary financial result.
The agreement with Al-Hilal is worth approximately £55.7 million, making Martinelli the most expensive player Arsenal have ever sold.
That financial aspect is important because Arsenal are undergoing another major squad transformation.
The club have invested heavily in strengthening Arteta’s squad, while several players have also departed. Martinelli’s sale provides Arsenal with significant funds that can potentially be reinvested into the squad.
Reports have linked Arsenal with further attacking reinforcements as the club reshapes its forward line.
For the club, therefore, Martinelli’s departure can be viewed as a strategic decision.
For the player, however, it represents the end of a relationship that once appeared destined to last much longer.
Why Martinelli may feel disappointed
Martinelli’s frustration would be understandable if reports about his feelings are accurate.
Players naturally want to feel trusted by their manager, particularly when they have spent years developing within the same project.
Martinelli was not simply another squad player at Arsenal. He was one of the faces of the club’s rebuild.
He scored important goals, developed into a Brazil international and became one of the most recognisable members of Arsenal’s young generation.
There was a period when supporters expected him to remain at the Emirates for many years.
The fact that he is now leaving for Saudi Arabia at 25 years old demonstrates just how quickly his circumstances changed.
His supporters may therefore wonder whether he could have been given another opportunity to prove himself.
Al-Hilal offers a fresh beginning
While Martinelli may be disappointed with how his Arsenal career ended, his move to Al-Hilal could provide the perfect opportunity for a fresh start.
The Saudi Arabian club are expected to give the Brazilian a significant role and a lucrative contract.
Instead of competing for minutes at Arsenal, Martinelli will have the opportunity to become one of the main attacking figures at his new club.
That could help restore his confidence and allow him to play with the freedom that made him so dangerous during his best years in England.
The Saudi Pro League has also attracted several high-profile players, meaning Martinelli will not be moving into an unknown footballing environment.
Arsenal fans divided over the decision
Arsenal supporters are understandably divided.
Some believe the club have made the right decision by selling a player who had fallen down the pecking order for a record fee.
Others believe Martinelli still had enough quality to contribute to Arsenal, particularly considering his age and previous performances.
The biggest question will be whether Arsenal eventually regret allowing him to leave.
Arteta has built a squad capable of competing for major honours, but attacking depth will be closely watched following Martinelli’s departure.
The end of an Arsenal era
Martinelli’s Arsenal journey will ultimately be remembered for much more than its disappointing conclusion.
He arrived as a teenager and developed into a Premier League star. He experienced Arsenal’s difficult rebuilding years, the club’s return to title contention and eventually their Premier League triumph.
His departure closes another chapter in the Arteta era.
Whether Martinelli remains unhappy with the way things ended or eventually looks back at his Arsenal career with gratitude, there is no denying the impact he made at the Emirates.
For Arteta, the decision represents another difficult call in his attempt to build the strongest possible Arsenal squad.
For Martinelli, it represents a new beginning.
And for Arsenal supporters, the Brazilian’s departure will be watched with one major question in mind: did Arsenal make the right decision by allowing Gabriel Martinelli to leave?
Only time will provide the answer.
For now, Martinelli heads to Al-Hilal with the opportunity to rebuild his confidence, rediscover his best form and prove that the player who once terrified Premier League defenders is still very much alive.
His Arsenal chapter may be over, but his story is far from finished.
