In recent days Arsenal and Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal have moved a step closer to completing a transfer for Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli. Sources say the young striker is seriously entertaining a move to Riyadh if the two sides can settle on a fee, and negotiations appear to be nearing a conclusion.
Part of the emerging agreement is thought to include a sell‑on clause that would grant Arsenal 20 percent of any future profit should Al Hilal later sell the player on. While the Martinelli deal is being hammered out, Arsenal are already looking ahead to the January window to shore up their attacking options. Their primary target remains Julian Álvarez from Atletico Madrid, a dynamic Argentine forward who has impressed with his work rate and goal‑scoring instinct. The Gunners are also monitoring Juventus forward Kenan Yıldız, although the Turkish‑born striker has suffered a left‑foot injury that could keep him out for an extended period.
Sky Italy reports that Juventus’ medical team are weighing various treatment paths and have not ruled out surgery, which could sideline Yıldız for several weeks. Martinelli’s exclusion from the matchday squads for the Community Shield triumph over Manchester City and the opening Premier League win against Coventry City has raised eyebrows.
The 22‑year‑old was not listed on the bench for either fixture, fueling speculation about his future at the club. According to Sky Sports analyst Sam Blitz, Arsenal entered last season with Leandro Trossard and Martinelli as their two principal left‑wingers. If the Brazilian departs for Al Hilal, Arsenal will begin the new campaign without either of those options. Manager Mikel Arteta appears to be reshaping the left‑wing role, with Greek youngster Christos Tzolis emerging as the sole recognized specialist for that side of the pitch.
Tzolis, who joined the club from the youth ranks, has shown flashes of brilliance and could become a regular starter, but Arsenal still have a week left in the transfer window to address any lingering depth concerns. In the short term, Arsenal have used other players to fill the left‑wing vacancy. Eberechi Eze was deployed on the left in the win over Coventry, while Noni Madueke has also featured in that position. Both Eze and Madueke are primarily midfielders or attacking wingers, and their involvement on the flank is largely a stop‑gap measure.
Their broader role is to provide competition and cover for Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, who have had inconsistent injury histories and may be needed elsewhere on the pitch. The club’s transfer ambitions are narrowing as the deadline approaches. Interest in Álvarez remains, but the Argentine has expressed a strong desire to join Barcelona, making any Arsenal bid uncertain. Meanwhile, the injury to Yıldız may force Juventus sporting director Andrea Berta to make a decisive move before the window closes, potentially opening another avenue for Arsenal.
Martinelli’s legacy at Arsenal is that of a cult hero. He is one of only three players – alongside Saka and Reiss Nelson – who were part of the squad when Arteta took over in December 2019. Despite scoring just one Premier League goal last season, that strike came in a crucial victory over Manchester City. His record in the Champions League, however, was far more impressive: six goals in his first seven appearances in Europe’s premier competition, highlighting his ability to perform on the biggest stage.
Consistency and confidence waned toward the end of the campaign, but his talent remains evident. A sale of Martinelli would likely set a new club record, eclipsing the previous benchmark set when Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain left for Liverpool in 2017. The transfer fee, combined with the proposed 20 percent sell‑on clause, could provide Arsenal with a significant financial boost, which the club desperately needs to improve its overall transfer strategy. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has voiced concern over the way Martinelli is being handled.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Wright said, "The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment makes me uncomfortable. I know some people want him out, but there are respectful ways to manage a departure that also consider his wishes. He’s been a key part of this squad and deserves more respect than he’s receiving now." Wright added that the arrival of new signings such as Vini Júnior or Tzolis could push Martinelli further down the pecking order, leaving him feeling marginalized. "If you bring Vini in, Martinelli might think, ‘I’m now third in line.’ But if you bring Tzolis and have Madueke on the other side, he could still see a role for himself.
Being completely excluded feels sad for him," he concluded. Beyond the immediate transfer saga, Arsenal must consider the broader implications for squad balance, financial health, and long‑term planning. The potential departure of a player who has become a fan favourite and a proven European performer could free up resources, but it also removes a versatile attacking option.
The club’s ability to replace Martinelli, whether through the acquisition of Álvarez, a surprise signing, or promoting a youth prospect, will be crucial in maintaining competitive momentum. In summary, the Martinelli negotiation illustrates the complex interplay of sporting ambition, financial pragmatism, and player welfare that defines modern football transfers.
As the deadline looms, Arsenal will need to balance the desire to cash in on a valuable asset with the necessity of preserving depth on the left wing, all while navigating the aspirations of a young Brazilian who has already left an indelible mark on the Emirates Stadium.