Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Arteta after an Arsenal game
Mikel Arteta was not referenced in Gabriel Martinelli's parting message after leaving Arsenal(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
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Over 50 per cent of Arsenal supporters have sided with Gabriel Martinelli over his decision to snub Mikel Arteta in his parting statement from the club. The Brazilian left Arsenal in frosty fashion after completing a £60million move to Al‑Hilal this week.
The 25‑year‑old found himself deemed surplus to requirements at the Emirates Stadium this summer, with Christos Tzolis and Ebere Eze moving to the forefront of Arteta's starting XI. As a result, Martinelli was linked with a move away, with several clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia showing interest in his services.
The Brazilian flew to the Middle East earlier this week for a medical before being unveiled by Al‑Hilal on Thursday - with Arsenal also issuing a message of thanks for the winger's contributions since 2019. The club wrote: "Forever a Gunner. The club can confirm that Gabriel Martinelli has joined Al-Hilal on a permanent deal. Thank you for everything and best of luck, Gabi."
The Brazilian also took to social media to send a heartfelt tribute to the club but did not include his former boss in the message or the photographs that accompanied it.
"I can only thank the staff and my teammates," he posted. "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.
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"To Arsenal, thank you for believing in me and giving me the chance to show myself to the world. 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."
Our football.london readers have now had their say on Martinelli's actions and whether the decision was correct.
In a poll that received over 1,000 responses, readers were asked if the Brazilian was wrong not to mention Arteta in his Arsenal farewell and 57 per cent said no.
Meanwhile, 43 per cent felt he should have referenced the Arsenal boss.
It comes after Ian Wright criticised the club's treatment of Martinelli behind closed doors in the build‑up to his exit, admitting the situation made him feel 'uncomfortable.'
Speaking to Sky Sports after Arsenal's opening‑night win against Coventry City, Wright explained: "With respect to Martinelli and the way he’s being treated at the moment, it really makes me uncomfortable.
"He always gives 100%, we’re not saying he’s the greatest, but he’s come up with some big moments for Arsenal in big games, and the way he’s being treated at the end here. I know they might want him out and there’s a lot of guys saying it’s time for him to move on, but there’s ways of doing that should suit him as well."
Asked what he meant by the treatment, Wright added: "Not being in the squad tonight, not being spoken to, doesn’t know what's going on."
Martinelli made 278 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 62 goals and providing 36 assists during a seven‑year spell in north London.
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