A Drought Finally Broken
Gabriel Martinelli had waited long enough. Nearly seven months passed since his last goal in an Arsenal shirt, back in February’s FA Cup win over Wigan Athletic. That silence ended in emphatic fashion on Saturday, as the Brazilian winger tore through Al-Taawoun’s defence with a scintillating hat-trick in Al-Hilal’s 6-0 demolition in Qassim.
Martinelli struck in the 18th, 43rd, and 50th minutes, completing his treble in just 32 minutes of game time. It marked his first goal contribution since arriving at Al-Hilal earlier this month and, more importantly, his first hat-trick for the club.
The performance could not have come at a better moment. Martinelli had featured twice for Al-Hilal before Saturday, appearing off the bench in a win over Al-Shabab and starting a defeat to Neom without troubling the scoresheet. Questions had begun to surface about his adaptation to Saudi football. Those questions now feel premature.
His first goal arrived after a slick piece of individual skill. Slipping between two Al-Taawoun midfielders, he collected a loose ball inside the box before slotting home confidently. The second came from a slightly different route, though the outcome felt familiar. Ollie Watkins, the former Aston Villa striker enjoying his own bright start in Saudi Arabia, threaded a pass through for Martinelli, who cut inside and finished with composure.
His third goal sealed the hat-trick and settled any lingering doubts. Crysencio Summerville’s run down the byline created the chance, and Martinelli simply had to apply the finish. Nine minutes had separated his second and third goals, a burst of ruthless efficiency that Al-Taawoun could not contain.
Watkins and Al-Hilal’s Dominant Display
Martinelli’s treble stole headlines, yet he was not alone in inspiring the rout. Watkins opened the scoring in just the ninth minute, latching onto a long ball from Ruben Neves before finishing past goalkeeper Mailson. His second arrived shortly after Martinelli’s hat-trick, as he won the ball in midfield and drove forward unopposed to complete his own brace.
Substitute Sultan Mandash added gloss to the scoreline late on, wrapping up a night that pushed Al-Hilal back to the top of the Saudi Pro League table. For a squad still blending new arrivals with established stars, the six-goal haul offered a statement of intent early in the campaign.
Al-Taawoun, by contrast, had little answer. Their defence looked stretched from the opening whistle, and once Martinelli found his rhythm, containing him became impossible. The visitors’ front three combined fluidly throughout, suggesting further partnerships between Martinelli, Watkins, and Summerville could flourish as the season progresses.
Settling In and Looking Ahead
Speaking after the match, Martinelli reflected on the significance of the night, though he was quick to credit his teammates rather than dwell on individual glory. He described the achievement as a special moment, particularly given it followed months without a goal and marked only his second career hat-trick.
His move to Al-Hilal followed the completion of a four-year contract, ending a lengthy spell at Arsenal that included FA Cup silverware and a maiden Premier League treble earlier in 2026. Adjusting to a new league, climate, and style of play rarely happens overnight, and his slow start had drawn some scrutiny among supporters eager for immediate returns.
Saturday’s performance should quiet much of that noise. Fans following transfer news and match reports on KCPredict will find plenty to discuss, as Martinelli’s arrival adds real attacking depth to an already dangerous Al-Hilal side. With the Saudi Pro League title race heating up, his timing could hardly have been better.
For Martinelli personally, the drought is over. For Al-Hilal, the message is clear: their summer investment is beginning to pay off, one goal at a time.