Gabriel Martinelli is on his way out of Arsenal. There’s a verbal agreement in place with Al Hilal now, and the Saudi club has cleared the winger to travel within 24 hours to sort out the formalities. The fee, add-ons included, sits north of €65 million, a package that would make Martinelli the most expensive sale in Arsenal’s history.
For a player who joined as a teenager back in 2019, this really does feel like the end of an era. Martinelli made 278 appearances for the Gunners, scored 62 goals, and played his part in last season’s Premier League title win. Even so, his standing at the club had shifted dramatically over the summer.
Arteta’s Cold Shoulder Sealed The Exit
Mikel Arteta didn’t sugarcoat things. He reportedly told Martinelli directly to find a new club, and that left the Brazilian frozen out of matchday squads for both the Community Shield and the Premier League opener against Coventry. Missing the Community Shield stung particularly hard; he didn’t even get his hands on a winners’ medal.
That treatment hasn’t sat well in the dressing room, either. Teammates have reportedly voiced sympathy for the winger, uneasy with how quickly his role fell away. Arsenal’s summer spending explains part of it. The signing of Christos Tzolis added serious competition on the left flank, and suddenly there just wasn’t room for both players.
Martinelli looked at other options first. He turned down an approach from Galatasaray earlier in the window, holding out for something that made more sense long-term. In the end, though, the money and lifestyle on offer from the Saudi Pro League won him over.
He’ll sign a long-term contract in Riyadh, joining a rebuilding Al Hilal squad under manager Simone Inzaghi. The club has already been busy this summer, spending close to €64.5 million on West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville. Bringing in Martinelli says a lot about their ambitions to build something real around this attacking core.
Arsenal’s Next Move Comes Into Focus
Selling Martinelli frees up real money, and Arsenal aren’t sitting on it. Julian Alvarez remains their top target as the window edges toward its final days, though talks there have gotten complicated.
With Martinelli gone, Tzolis becomes Arsenal’s only recognized left-winger, which is a notable shift after years of rotation in that spot. Whether Arteta trusts him to carry that load alone, or brings in more reinforcements before deadline day, we’ll have to wait and see.
For Martinelli, a fresh start awaits, far from the pressure that had built up at the Emirates. There’s reportedly a sell-on clause built into the deal too, so this story might not be entirely closed even once he’s gone. Fans wanting to keep up with the latest transfer twists and predictions can check in at KCPredict.
ESPN’s transfer coverage suggested the financial terms on offer ultimately tipped things toward Saudi Arabia. Once medicals and paperwork clear, Martinelli’s seven-year spell in North London officially comes to a close.