Mikel Arteta gives his verdict on Gabriel Martinelli’s £60m departure

Mikel Arteta gives his verdict on Gabriel Martinelli’s £60m departure The Arsenal manager reflected on Martinelli’s transformation after the winger completed a £60m move to Al Hilal, ending seven years in north London. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League Mikel Arteta has paid tribute to Gabriel Martinelli following the winger’s departure from Arsenal, describing him as a “critical player” in the club’s progress and reflecting on the transformation he witnessed during their years together in north London. Martinelli completed his transfer to Al Hilal on Thursday for a club-record €70 million (£60 million), ending seven years at Arsenal. He has signed a four-year contract with the Saudi club and will earn €20 million a year plus bonuses, according to James Benge of CBS Sports . The £60 million fee is the third-highest paid by a Saudi club, while Arsenal have also negotiated a sell-on clause that could increase the eventual value of the deal if Martinelli later moves elsewhere. Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images His exit brings to an end a significant Arsenal career that began when he arrived as an 18-year-old in 2019 for around £6m. Martinelli leaves having helped the club win the FA Cup , Community Shield and Premier League , while recording 98 goal contributions (62 goals, 36 assists). Arteta was asked about the Brazilian before Arsenal’s game against Chelsea and made clear the esteem in which he holds a player whose development he oversaw for much of his time at the club. “With great gratitude, it’s been a pleasure to work with him, to be part of this journey with him,” Arteta said . “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 that 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. The story ends and we wish him all the very best in a different one. This is part of football.” Arteta’s comments follow Martinelli’s own emotional farewell to Arsenal , in which he reflected on arriving in England as a teenager and admitted that, at the time, he imagined remaining at the club indefinitely. “The day has come, and honestly, I still don’t feel ready to write a goodbye, but I’ll try,” Martinelli wrote on Instagram . “When I arrived here, seven years ago, I was just a boy who had only recently turned 18. In my heart, I thought I would stay forever. “But life is constantly changing, and sometimes our paths take us in directions different from the ones we had planned. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gabriel Martinelli (@gabriel.martinelli) “Will we ever become champions? Will I adapt to a new club, a new country, a new culture? Will I ever score in the Champions League? Will I score important goals? Will I have the opportunity to play in the Olympics? World Cup? And imagine, scoring at a World Cup? “Those were all the thoughts going through 18 year old Gabriel’s mind. And yes, we did it. “We became FA Cup champions, Community Shield and finally achieved the one we had waited so long for, becoming Premier League champions. With Brasil, I won an Olympic gold medal, played in two World Cups, and scored a very special goal. And here, with Arsenal, I reached 98 goal contributions.” Martinelli also described the attachment he developed to Arsenal and the people around the club during his seven years in north London. “I’ve spent seven years at this club,” Martinelli continued. “I feel like an adopted Hale End boy, you could say. I found a family that took care of me and watched me grow throughout all these years. Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images “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. Thank you to everyone who helped me grow during this journey. “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,” Martinelli concluded. “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. 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.” Thank you, Nelli. Thank you. Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images