Gabriel Martinelli has completed a move to Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal, marking a historic transfer for Arsenal as the club records its most lucrative sale to date. The agreement is structured as a fixed‑fee deal worth £60 million and also contains a sell‑on clause that could bring additional income to the Gunners in the future. This figure eclipses the previous record set in the summer of 2017 when Arsenal sold Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain to Liverpool for just under £40 million.
Martinelli first arrived at the Emirates Stadium when he was 18, having been signed from his hometown side Ituano in Brazil. Because he was acquired on a free transfer, the entire £60 million now recorded on the books is recognised as pure profit for Arsenal’s financial statements. The young Brazilian forward, now 25, chose the Saudi Pro League over an earlier opportunity to join Turkish side Galatasaray.
The Turkish club had tabled an offer of roughly £38.9 million, but Martinelli decided that a move to Turkey was not the right step for his career at that moment. The transfer pushes Arsenal’s total income from player sales this summer past the £120 million mark, a substantial cash influx that reflects the club’s recent strategy of capitalising on the market value of its assets. Martinelli’s departure follows the summer sale of fellow left‑winger Leandro Trossard to Turkish outfit Beşiktaş, underscoring a broader reshuffle of Arsenal’s attacking options. While Martinelli was on the move, Arsenal bolstered the left side of their attack by acquiring Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
Tzolis featured in the first two Premier League victories of the season, both of which saw Martinelli unavailable. After the opening‑day win over Coventry City, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright expressed his discomfort with how the club handled Martinelli’s situation, arguing that the 25‑year‑old deserved greater respect and consideration.
Martinelli’s tenure at Arsenal began in 2019, and over the course of four seasons he amassed 191 Premier League appearances, contributing 41 goals and 24 assists. In the title‑winning campaign of 2022‑23, he featured in 30 league matches, although only 11 of those were starts – his lowest number of starts since the 2020‑21 season. His reduced playing time reflected the intense competition for places on the left flank, particularly after the arrival of new signings such as Tzolis and Eberechi Eze. With Martinelli’s exit, only Bukayo Saka remains from the core group that Mikel Arteta inherited when he took over as manager in December 2019.
Arteta, appointed as Unai Emery’s permanent successor following a brief interim spell by Freddie Ljungberg, has dramatically reshaped the squad. Players like David Luiz and Alexandre Lacazette have departed, while younger talents have been integrated, helping the Gunners climb from a 15th‑place position to Premier League champions in a relatively short period.
One notable example of Arteta’s long‑term planning is William Saliba. Although Saliba was under contract with Arsenal when Arteta arrived, he spent the 2019‑20 season on loan at Saint‑Étienne and did not make his Premier League debut for the club until the opening game of the 2022‑23 season, a 2‑0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Martinelli’s early years at Arsenal were hampered by injuries, but he hit his stride in the 2022‑23 season, netting 15 league goals and playing a key role in Arsenal’s push for the league title after a 19‑year drought. Despite this resurgence, his form in the following season slipped, and he found himself third in the pecking order for the left‑wing role behind Tzolis and Eze. The transfer list accompanying the announcement also highlighted several other moves involving Arsenal players and prospects: - Fabio Vieira to Porto for £7.7 million - Jakub Kiwior to Porto for £19 million - Leandro Trossard to Beşiktaş for £17 million - Gabriel Jesus to Barcelona for £8.6 million - Christian Nørgaard to Everton for £7 million - Ethan Nwaneri on loan to Borussia Dortmund - Karl Hein to Werder Bremen for £2.6 million These transactions illustrate Arsenal’s broader strategy of balancing squad renewal with financial sustainability. While the departure of a fan‑favorite like Martinelli may be disappointing for supporters, the substantial fee received provides the club with flexibility to reinvest in emerging talent or to strengthen other areas of the squad.
Beyond the on‑field implications, Martinelli’s move to Al Hilal reflects the growing allure of the Saudi Pro League, which has attracted a number of high‑profile players in recent years. The league’s financial muscle, combined with ambitious club projects, is reshaping the global football landscape and offering alternatives to traditional European destinations.
In summary, Gabriel Martinelli’s transfer to Al Hilal for £60 million not only sets a new record for Arsenal but also signifies a pivotal moment in the club’s post‑title era. The influx of cash will likely influence Arsenal’s transfer policy moving forward, while Martinelli embarks on a new chapter in Saudi Arabia, aiming to make his mark in a rapidly evolving league.