'Once a Gunner, always a Gunner' - Martinelli says goodbye
· Yahoo Sports
Gabriel Martinelli says he felt like "an adopted Hale End boy" during his seven years at Arsenal.
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Martinelli has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal for a fee of £60m after being told by manager Mikel Arteta he was not part of his plans for this season.
The 25-year-old joined the Gunners from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019 as an 18-year-old and made 278 appearances for the club, scoring 62 goals and providing 36 assists.
He made 53 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals, as the Gunners won the top-flight title for the first time since 2004.
"When I arrived here, seven years ago, I was just a boy who had only recently turned 18," Martinelli wrote in his farewell message posted on social media.
"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.
"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.
"I've spent seven years at this club. 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.
"I can only thank the staff and my team-mates. Thank you to the chefs, kit staff, doctors, doormen, security staff, media team, cleaning staff, physios and every single team-mate 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."