According to David Ornstein, Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have entered into direct negotiations with the north London club, and Gabriel Martinelli has shown willingness to listen after rejecting an offer from Turkey. The Gunners are holding out for a fee close to £60 million. Should they secure that amount, it could rank among the most intelligent pieces of transfer business the club has completed in recent years.
Arsenal signed Martinelli for just £6 million back in 2019. That modest investment for a young Brazilian forward has since produced 62 goals and 36 assists across 278 appearances, including a Premier League winners’ medal from last season.
By any standard, that represents exceptional value, and cashing in at £60 million would mean a £54 million profit on a player who has likely already delivered his peak contributions at this level.
Emotional attachment is natural. But emotions alone do not secure Champions League trophies or additional silverware.
The hard truth about Martinelli’s position
Here is the uncomfortable reality that Arsenal fans must confront.
Martinelli was selected for only 11 Premier League starts last season. Just 11. For a 25-year-old once regarded as one of the nation’s most dynamic wide attackers, that statistic paints a clear picture of his current standing in Arteta’s plans.
The summer arrival of Christos Tzolis, who impressed immediately on his league debut and played a key part in the 3-0 win over Coventry, has further reduced Martinelli’s chances of regular minutes. Arsenal are well stocked in wide areas and are still looking to add more options.
Retaining Martinelli in these circumstances would not serve his interests. At 25, he is entering his peak years and should be playing consistently, not sitting on the bench while the squad around him continues to strengthen.
What the transfer enables
This is where the logic becomes even more compelling.
£60 million provides significant financial firepower, and Arsenal have clear intentions for it. Julián Álvarez remains the primary objective, with speculation suggesting the Gunners may even offer a player-plus-cash arrangement involving Viktor Gyökeres to reduce Atlético Madrid’s demands.
That level of ambition requires flexibility in the transfer budget. Martinelli’s departure creates that room. Every pound raised from this sale moves Arsenal closer to the kind of signing that could decide whether they retain their league crown or finally lift the Champions League.
A fitting farewell
None of this takes away from what Martinelli has contributed to Arsenal.
He joined as a fearless, unpolished teenager and developed into a title-winning forward. He gave six years of energy, goals, and unforgettable moments that supporters will cherish. His time at the club should be remembered warmly and without bitterness.
However, the most respectful way to acknowledge his service is to recognize what lies ahead. Arsenal are moving forward quickly. Arteta is constructing a squad that demands elite output in every position, and at this moment, Martinelli no longer fits that standard for the club.
Al-Hilal can offer him a fresh chapter, a central role, and a substantial contract. Arsenal can offer him a spot on the sidelines.
The decision writes itself. Let him move on, collect the £60 million, and invest it in something even bigger.