2019/20 – Hope
When Gabriel Martinelli arrived at Arsenal in 2019, we were a very different club.
The Wenger era was over, Emery was struggling, the team had lost its identity, and we were heading towards one of the lowest points of the Emirates era.
Then this 18-year-old Brazilian arrived from Ituano.
And suddenly, there was something to believe in.
Martinelli scored 10 goals in all competitions in his first season.
Arsenal finished eighth, but he was one of the few genuinely exciting things about the team.
He ran at defenders, chased everything and played without fear.
Most importantly, he gave us hope.
2020/21 – The Setback
A serious knee injury interrupted his development.
He barely featured, while Arsenal finished eighth again.
It was a frustrating year, but Martinelli came back – and became part of something much bigger.
2021/22 – The Rebuild
Saka was becoming a star. Ødegaard was emerging as a leader. Arteta’s Arsenal was beginning to take shape.
Martinelli was right there with them.
Six goals and six assists in the league doesn’t tell the whole story. His pace, energy and willingness to attack defenders made him an important part of the new Arsenal.
We finished fifth.
For the first time in years, it felt like we were going somewhere.
2022/23 – The Peak
This was Martinelli at his best.
15 Premier League goals and five assists.
He wasn’t a promising youngster anymore. He was one of the league’s most exciting wingers.
Watching him and Saka tear into teams from opposite wings was one of the great joys of that season.
We didn’t win the league.
But we’d gone from eighth to title challengers – and Martinelli had been a huge part of that transformation.
2023/24 & 2024/25 – The Questions
His numbers dropped.
Six goals and four assists in 2023/24, followed by eight and four the following season.
The criticism was understandable. We’d seen what Martinelli could do, and we wanted to see it consistently.
He remained a very good player – quick, aggressive, hardworking and capable of producing moments of brilliance.
But the question changed from “Can he become a top player?” to “Can he become world class?”
And perhaps that final step never quite came.
2025/26 – The Strange Ending
Martinelli was still part of Arsenal’s journey when we finally won the Premier League.
And then he was gone.
Al-Hilal paid around £60 million, making him Arsenal’s record outgoing transfer.
I understand the football argument.
I understand the financial argument too.
If Arteta no longer saw him as indispensable, and if the club needed significant transfer income, Martinelli was an obvious asset to sell.
But that doesn’t make it easy.
Because I don’t just see a £60 million player when I think of Martinelli.
I see that 18-year-old running around the Emirates when Arsenal were struggling.
I see the goals.
I see the celebrations.
I see him alongside Saka as we started believing again.
I see the title challenge of 2022/23.
And I see a player who was there through almost the entire journey back.
More Than the Numbers
Martinelli leaves Arsenal with 278 appearances and 62 goals, an FA Cup, a Premier League title and a place in the club’s modern history.
He may not have become the superstar we once imagined.
But that doesn’t diminish what he gave us.
He arrived when Arsenal were lost.
He grew alongside Saka.
He helped take us from eighth place back into the Champions League and into genuine title contention.
And eventually, he was there when we finally won it.
That’s why I’ll remember Gabriel Martinelli fondly.
Not because he became everything we hoped he would.
But because he was there while Arsenal became what we hoped they could be.
Thank you, Gabi.
Reader opinion: Kia
Have Your Say
How will you remember Gabriel Martinelli’s time at Arsenal? Was he an important part of the journey that took the Gunners back to the top, and what are your favourite memories of Gabi in an Arsenal shirt?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
Nice article Kia.
I wish other AFC players would feel like he did when was sold to another club. Genuine.
My greatest memory of him was that goal against Chelsea when ran a long way after Kante’s slip. If memory serves me right, we were a man down in that game.
There’s is no big club Martinelli has not scored against! Except if Arsenal has not played them. Arteta has a natural hatred for him because of his frosty relationship with the past Sporting Director( Edu), who personally brought Martinelli. Even last season when he scored five Champions league goals in a row, and we won all, Arteta was still benching him! Both Gyokeres and Martinelli collectively scored 3 goals in the 4 nil hammering of Atletico Madtid, but when he dropped both against the same Atletico Madtid, we struggled to even score once on two different occassions.
Should Arteta perform badly this season, then he must be sacked as Liverpool did to Slot, and Arsenal will go back for Martinelli.
Martinel style of playng made me admire him and became my favourate player i also strupped his style of playng and am good at that number 11
Top article Kia 👍. I remember when he first arrived, he was supposed to play in the academy, but instead went into the 1st team squad.
I’m sorry to see him leave, but I wish him all the very best for his future, unless he comes back to European football and plays against us.
Good rundown and article Kia. My personal recollections of Martinelli’s overall play and affect on results isn’t as positive as yours except for his consistently exceptional defensive work. Nevertheless, the article is still a fine testament to a true Gunner who no doubt gave his all and is appreciated for same.
He has definitely been one of the true loyal Arsenal greats and will always be remembered as part of those who brought about the rebuild to our new status as champions. Despite the realities of the modern game we immensely thank him for his total commitment to this great club and will forever remain in our hearts. We can only wish him the best as he begins a new phase in his career. Adios Gabi we salute you 🙏
Generous article Kia and a fitting tribute
Thanks, good luck but not sorry for leaving. Right decision was made.
Well done Kia. See you with more
Great article Kia summing up Martinelli’s career at our club.
I would just add that when fans moan about players loyalty to a club, they remember how Gabriel was treated by Arteta.
Enjoy the rest of your life and thanks for the memories, that equalising goal against City and the way he defended in games will be my favourite memories.
I personally think that Arsenal management has made a huge mistake for letting Gabriel Martinelli leave the team. Gabi was an incredible asset of the team. He was a skillful player for Arsenal who made things happen. I’ll remember him scoring and assisting with important goals for Arsenal. Indeed I agree of late he was not at his best but he’s one of the best players in world. I’ll remember him scoring important goals against Manchester City and against Chelsea and against other teams. He was doing his best for Arsenal. I’ll always remember Gabriel Martinelli what he did for Arsenal as a team
Nice summary Kia. He had a great attitude and made a huge contribution to Arsenal. He still has a lot to offer. Always felt a bit of hope when he came on. Truly wish him all the best.
Sold with his peak years ahead of him is how I see it. Frustrating he could be, but boy his work-rate and his willingness to do his defensive duties was second to none.
He performed to a good level in the main over his 7 years, but I found he seem to save his best performances for Europe. One of my favorite memory’s was our second goal in the second leg away win versus Real Madrid.
That summed Martinelli up for me, even as late in the game as that he still had that burst of pace to get him clear and produce a fine finish and put the final gloss on a 5-1 aggregate win.
As I say, he could be frustrating, but I’d rather he was in my team than in the oppositions team.
A absolute professional throughout his time at the club, couldn’t sign his contracts quick enough when offered. Never seem to complain when he wasn’t in the starting line-up. Just an all-round good guy who will be missed.
Good luck at you’re new club Gabriel. And just to say, a very good article form you Kia. 👍
I personally think he’s one of the best players Arsenal ever had. What an amazing player esp when the chips are down. Go well Gaby my friend. Your future is bright. My son and I always had hope when seeing you and Trossard on the field.
There has never been a player sold by Arsenal which has left a bad taste to most fans considering we didn’t even try to replace him. What a shame. He is a player who can score more than 20 goals a season if Arteta was playing to his strengths. Very professional and hard working good luck Gaby in your future endeavors. We love you.
oh there has lol
If properly developed he would have been the star of the team and Arteta will have anyone but the star of the team because Arteta want to be the star of the team himself. It’s why some of us predicted the end of Gyokeres won’t be long just one month after he signed.
Regarding Martinelli I made a remark one or two years back that he seems content collecting the fat paycheck instead of moving somewhere where he could develop. His move to Saudi make me believe so even more.
Just another player moved on. Flattered to deceive far too often. Lacked composure and technique. Not quite top classs. Good luck to him, he will earn a mint at Al hilal.