Martinelli snubs Arteta in farewell post after £60m Al-Hilal move as Alvarez rejects City return

Gabriel Martinelli finalised his £60 million transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal this week, but the Brazilian’s emotional Instagram farewell conspicuously omitted any mention of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta — thanking team-mates, chefs, kit staff, doctors, doormen, security staff and physios, yet leaving his coach off the list entirely.

The 25-year-old had reportedly wanted to stay at Arsenal, but was deemed surplus to requirements by Arteta following the summer signing of left winger Christos Tzolis. Martinelli subsequently lost his place in the squad, with Eberechi Eze preferred as back-up on the left flank, and was absent from the matchday squads for the Community Shield win over Manchester City and the opening Premier League victory against Coventry.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright publicly criticised the club’s handling of Martinelli’s exit, claiming the player had not been spoken to directly by Arteta — a version of events that was later disputed by reports from within the club. Separate accounts also suggested Martinelli’s team-mates were left uncomfortable by the manner in which he was pushed out.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s pursuit of a marquee forward signing ended without success, though the club will take some consolation from the news that Julian Alvarez rejected a late approach from Manchester City to re-sign him. According to reports, City made the move for the Argentine last week as the transfer window approached its Tuesday deadline, but Alvarez turned it down.

The 26-year-old had made clear throughout the summer that he wanted to leave Atlético Madrid, with Barcelona his preferred and only destination. Arsenal had monitored the situation late in the window in case Alvarez changed his mind, but he did not.

Despite missing out on their primary forward target, sporting director Andrea Berta oversaw a busy window that brought in five players for a combined outlay of around £200 million. Left-back Piero Hincapie arrived on a permanent deal, goalkeeper Illan Meslier joined as a free agent, and Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa also signed alongside Tzolis.

On the outgoings side, Arsenal parted ways with Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson during the window, following the earlier departures of Christian Norgaard and Leandro Trossard. Arteta now heads into the season with a substantially reshaped squad.