Gabriel Martinelli has left Arsenal after seven years in North London, with Mikel Arteta reflecting on the Brazilian's development under him.
Mikel Arteta has described Gabriel Martinelli as a “critical player” in Arsenal's progress after the Brazilian completed his move to Al-Hilal on a four-year contract.
Martinelli spent seven years in North London after arriving from Brazilian side Ituano in the summer of 2019.
Arteta joined the Gunners later that year, with Martinelli spending much of his time at the Gunners under the Spanish manager, with many fans surprised to see that Arteta didn’t feature at all in the winger’s farewell message to fans.
“With Gabi, gratitude and it's been a pleasure to work with him, to be part of this journey with him. The Gabi that I met and the Gabi that just left, it's a huge transformation, both in the personal side and in the professional side.
“I think the impact he had for the club, his ambition, his love for the game and the way he has, I think, helped us to grow and achieve our goals, I think he's been a critical player.”
Martinelli was already at the Gunners when Arteta arrived, and it didn’t take long for the Brazilian to make his mark in the first team.
He found the net regularly in his debut season and played a part in Arsenal’s FA Cup win in 2020, though injury kept him out of the closing stages of that campaign.
Over the following seasons, Martinelli’s role in Arteta’s side only grew.
For long spells, Martinelli was Arsenal’s go-to option on the left, his pace and direct running offering something different to complement Bukayo Saka on the right.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. A serious knee injury sidelined him for months early in Arteta’s tenure, and as Arsenal strengthened their attack, competition for places only increased with the additions of Leandro Trossard in 2023 and Eberechi Eze in the summer of 2025.
Talk of his departure had gathered pace as the summer drew to a close. But it was before Arsenal’s trip to Aston Villa that Arteta gave the clearest sign an exit might be on the cards.
Martinelli had left training early, and Arteta described the matter at the time as a “personal situation” being dealt with by the club. Also confirming that he had spoken directly with the winger and that an eventual outcome of him leaving North London is something that needed to be agreed by all parties involved.
His exit was confirmed just three days later.
Martinelli was one of several established attackers to leave Arsenal this summer, joining Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard in moving on as Arteta reshaped his squad after their title win.
Christos Tzolis has come in from Club Brugge, while Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Saka are still among the attacking options at Arteta’s disposal.
Al-Hilal confirmed Martinelli was straight into first-team training after his move, as the Saudi side prepared for their meeting with Al-Shabab.
Martinelli’s exit brings to a close a working relationship that has spanned Arteta’s time in charge at Arsenal, with the Brazilian leaving the Gunners on a high after helping return the Premier League trophy to North London.
“So yeah, the story ends and we wish him all the very best in a different one. This is part of football.”
