Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has completed a £60m permanent transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, ending a seven-year stay in north London. The 25-year-old Brazil international signed a four-year contract with the club, marking a record sale for the Premier League champions.
The 25-year-old forward signed a four-year agreement with the Saudi Pro League club, according to announcements from both teams on Thursday, September 3, 2026. The departure breaks a seven-year bond that began when he arrived as an 18-year-old from the Brazilian side Ituano in July 2019.
Record Sale and Pure Accounting Profit for Arsenal
Because Martinelli was signed as an 18-year-old prospect from Ituano, his departure enters the club’s books as pure profit.
The Athletic reported that Al Hilal’s fee is guaranteed without add-ons, though the agreement includes a sell-on clause for the Premier League champions. The sale pushes Arsenal’s total money raised from player sales over the summer transfer window to over £120m.
Before settling on Al Hilal, Martinelli turned down an approach from Galatasaray earlier in the summer.
Shifting Squad Dynamics and the Exit From Mikel Arteta’s Plans
Martinelli made 278 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions, scoring 62 goals and providing 34 assists. He played an integral role in helping the club win the Premier League last season, alongside the FA Cup in 2020 and the FA Community Shield in 2023. His honors also include an Olympic gold medal with Brazil at the Tokyo 2020 Games, plus appearances at the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups and the 2024 Copa América.
Despite featuring in 53 matches and scoring 11 goals during last season’s title run, Martinelli fell down the left-wing pecking order. Manager Mikel Arteta made it clear that the forward would struggle for regular playing time after the arrival of winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge and increased reliance on Eberechi Eze on the flank. Martinelli was left out of the matchday squads for the Community Shield win against Manchester City and the opening Premier League victories over Coventry City and Aston Villa.
“The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable. I know they might want him out, and a lot of people might say, ‘yeah, it’s time for him to move him on’. But there’s ways of doing that and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave.”
Ian Wright, former Arsenal striker, speaking to Sky Sports
Farewell Messages and Saudi Pro League Ambitions
Following his official unveiling, Martinelli shared a goodbye message on social media reflecting on his arrival as a raw teenager facing anxiety and doubts. Yes, he did it,
he wrote. He became an FA Cup champion, won the Community Shield and finally achieved the one he had waited so long for – becoming a Premier League champion.
At Al-Hilal, managed by Simone Inzaghi, Martinelli teams up with fellow Premier League arrivals Ollie Watkins—who joined from Aston Villa in a £51m deal—and Crysencio Summerville, who arrived from West Ham United. The club is currently joint-top of the Saudi Pro League standings alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
Arsenal acknowledged the departure with a brief statement on their official channels. Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Gabi for his contribution to the club and wish him and his family well for the future,
the club said.
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