Gabriel Martinelli to Al-Hilal eases Arsenal fears as record £56m sale reshapes transfer plans

Arsenal look set to complete one of the most significant outgoing deals of their recent era, with Gabriel Martinelli now travelling to Saudi Arabia to finalise his move to Al-Hilal. According to TeamTalk, the transfer is advancing to its closing stages after internal concern that the Brazil international might yet hesitate over the switch.

That anxiety now appears to have lifted. As reported, “Martinelli is due in Saudi Arabia to undergo his medical and complete the final formalities of his transfer”, with the expectation that he and Ollie Watkins will be unveiled by Al-Hilal over the weekend. For Arsenal, there is obvious relief in that development, because the deal had reached the point where any late change of heart would have created major disruption to plans in the final stretch of the window.

The financials matter too. “Martinelli’s transfer will be worth £56million (€65m, $76m).” In Arsenal terms, that is a landmark figure. “That makes Martinelli’s departure a club-record sale for Arsenal, surpassing the £35million they received from Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017.” In a market where elite Premier League attackers command inflated prices, Arsenal have secured a sizeable fee for a player who arrived from Ituano in 2019 and developed into a regular first-team presence.

Arsenal transfer fallout takes shape

The wider significance lies in what comes next. Arsenal are already moving to address the gap on the left. The report states that “The Gunners are working hard on a left-sided attacking player to fill the void created by Martinelli’s departure” as Mikel Arteta assesses the final balance of his forward options. With Christos Tzolis already through the door and Leandro Trossard also on his way out, there is logic to the club seeking another wide attacker before the deadline.

One name mentioned is Igor Paixao, while the longer-running Julian Alvarez story has not disappeared. As the article notes, Arsenal “are also maintaining some hope of bringing Julian Alvarez to London, although that remains a separate and complicated situation.” That feels like an important distinction. Replacing Martinelli directly is one task, pursuing a marquee attacking addition is another, and Arsenal may yet try to do both if conditions align.

Record sale gives Arsenal flexibility

This is where the Martinelli deal could prove influential beyond the immediate headline. A £56m sale creates room, flexibility and leverage. Arsenal have been active, and this outgoing provides further support for whatever final moves they want to make. It also removes uncertainty around a player whose future had become increasingly tied to external interest.

For now, the priority is straightforward. “For now, the immediate priority is completing Martinelli’s departure, with the Brazilian now on his way to Saudi Arabia and Al-Hilal closing in on the completion of their ambitious Premier League double.” If that proceeds as expected, Arsenal will close one chapter and accelerate the next phase of their attacking rebuild.

Our View

From an Arsenal supporter’s perspective, this is one of those reports that lands with mixed emotions. Martinelli has given this club energy, directness and some huge moments, so seeing him leave will sting. Supporters have watched him grow from a raw talent into a player who could change matches in an instant, and there will be plenty who feel his best years might still be ahead of him.

That said, £56m is serious money, and if the club genuinely believes this is the right moment to cash in, then the recruitment that follows has to be sharp and decisive. Selling Martinelli for a club-record fee only looks smart if Arsenal replace him with quality, pace and end product. Fans will not be satisfied with simply balancing the books. They will want to see ambition.

The encouraging part of this report is that Arsenal appear to be moving with purpose. If there is genuine movement on a left-wing replacement and if the club can still push for a top-level forward, then this could become one of those painful departures that ultimately strengthens the squad. Supporters will trust the plan more readily if the next signing feels tailored to what Arteta needs.

Emotionally, Martinelli’s exit would hurt. Strategically, it could make sense. The key now is what Arsenal do next, because big clubs are judged less on the sale and more on the response.