Martinelli Gives Arsenal Exit the Nod as Al Hilal Close In
Arsenal’s summer just took another twist. Gabriel Martinelli has signalled he’s ready to go, giving the go-ahead for a switch to Al Hilal as negotiations hit the home straight, according to transfer oracle Fabrizio Romano. We’re talking a package worth around €65m (£55.7m), a medical pencilled in, and a long-term deal on the table. For a player who’s given seven years to the Emirates cause, it’s a seismic moment.
If you follow the markets, this is precisely the type of move that rattles the outright prices. For anyone eyeing a flutter, the smart play is keeping tabs on the best betting sites while the ink dries — expect odds on Arsenal’s top-four push and Al Hilal’s title tilt to shift if this deal gets rubber-stamped.
The State of Play
Arsenal’s window has already been lively: Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimarães and Ezri Konsa are through the door; Leandro Trossard, Christian Nørgaard and Reiss Nelson have headed the other way. All the while, the club’s been eyeing extra thrust on the left wing — and that’s where Martinelli’s future has come into sharp focus. Romano reports the Brazilian has now approved the Al Hilal move, with talks advancing to final details.
Arteta’s Hint and the Coventry Clue
The tea leaves weren’t hard to read. Martinelli was missing from the matchday squad as Arsenal brushed aside Coventry 3-0 on opening night. Mikel Arteta later acknowledged that tough conversations were taking place and, while he reiterated how highly the club regards “Gabi,” he suggested any resolution would come with everyone aligned. In other words: a parting of ways has been on the cards.
Why Arsenal Might Cash In
From a squad-building angle, this adds up. If you’re strengthening the left flank and trimming wage commitments, a sizeable fee from the SPL helps rebalance the books and sharpen the attack. At €65m, Arsenal gain room to manoeuvre in the final days of the window, whether that’s a direct replacement or shoring up elsewhere. It’s ruthless, yes — but title challengers often are.
Seven Years, Big Moments
Martinelli’s Arsenal ledger is nothing to sniff at: 278 appearances, 62 goals, and winners’ medals in the Premier League and Community Shield. For a lad who arrived from Ituano and fought his way into the picture, he leaves — if the deal closes — as a player who’s been part of genuine progress in north London.
Form and Numbers (25/26)
Per WhoScored, his campaign to date reads: Premier League — 11(19) appearances, 1 goal, 4 assists; Champions League — 7(7), 6 goals, 2 assists; EFL Cup — 3(2), no goals, no assists. That European output, in particular, reminds you of the ceiling — explosive in the right setup.
What Happens Next
All eyes now on the formalities. The expectation, per Romano, is a medical being lined up and a long-term contract signed off. If and when that happens, it’s a new chapter in Riyadh for Martinelli and another recalibration for Arteta, who’s shaping a squad to go the distance again. For Arsenal, the next few days could define how their season — and their left wing — looks by the time the window slams shut.
