Mikel Arteta has paid tribute to Gabriel Martinelli following the Brazilian winger’s £60m transfer from Arsenal to Saudi Arabian aspect Al-Hilal, insisting it was a “pleasure” to work with the ahead regardless of the circumstances surrounding his departure.
Softfootball understands that Martinelli introduced an finish to a seven-year spell with Arsenal after finishing his transfer to Al-Hilal, having established himself as an essential member of the squad since arriving from Brazilian aspect Ituano as an 18-year-old in 2019.
The 25-year-old made almost 300 appearances for the Gunners throughout his time in north London, contributing 98 aim involvements and enjoying a major function in Arsenal’s growth below Arteta.
Nevertheless, his remaining weeks on the membership had been dominated by uncertainty over his future. Martinelli was ignored of Arsenal’s squad for his or her Neighborhood Defend victory over Manchester Metropolis earlier than additionally lacking the Premier League wins towards Coventry Metropolis and Aston Villa.
The choice to depart him out prompted criticism from former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, who admitted that the remedy of Martinelli made him really feel “uncomfortable” and argued that the Brazilian deserved “extra respect” for his contribution to the membership.
Arteta, nevertheless, selected to deal with Martinelli’s general contribution when requested in regards to the winger’s departure.
Gratitude. It’s been a pleasure to work with him, to be a part of this journey with him
Arteta stated.
He’s gone by way of an enormous transformation, each in his private {and professional} aspect, his ambition, his love for the sport and the way he has helped us to develop and obtain our objectives.
He’s been a important participant … [but] the story ends.
Arteta’s feedback got here shortly after Martinelli printed an emotional farewell message to Arsenal and the membership’s supporters on social media.
The Brazilian mirrored on the uncertainty he skilled when he first arrived in England from Ituano in 2019, describing himself as a younger participant carrying “nervousness, concern and doubts.
Martinelli went on to stipulate the achievements he loved throughout his Arsenal profession, together with profitable the FA Cup, Neighborhood Defend and ultimately changing into a Premier League champion.
“Sure, he did it,” Martinelli wrote.
He grew to become an FA Cup champion, gained the Neighborhood Defend and eventually achieved the one he had waited so lengthy for – changing into a Premier League champion.
With Brazil, he gained an Olympic gold medal, performed in two World Cups, and scored a really particular aim, and right here, with Arsenal, he reached 98 aim contributions.
Martinelli thanked Arsenal’s supporters, teammates and members of the membership’s backroom employees as he introduced his emotional message to an finish.
Notably, nevertheless, the winger didn’t point out Arteta in his farewell put up, including one other layer of intrigue to an exit that had already attracted consideration due to his omission from Arsenal’s opening fixtures.
Regardless of that obvious omission, Arteta publicly praised Martinelli’s transformation and contribution to the membership, acknowledging the function the Brazilian performed all through his tenure.
Martinelli now begins a brand new chapter with Al-Hilal, leaving Arsenal after seven seasons wherein he developed from an inexperienced teenager into a longtime Brazil worldwide and some of the recognisable gamers of the Arteta period.
