Gabriel Martinelli joins Al-Hilal on four-year deal after Arsenal exit

What happened

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Gabriel Martinelli has left Arsenal and joined Al-Hilal on a four-year contract. Al-Hilal announced the permanent transfer on September 3 and said the signing ceremony took place at Almajdiah Sport Hub. The Asian Football Confederation confirmed the move on September 4, describing the Brazil international as the latest addition to a side that entered the day level on points at the top of the Saudi Pro League.

The 25-year-old is moving after seven seasons in north London. He arrived at Arsenal from Brazilian club Ituano in 2019 and developed from a teenage prospect into a regular option across the front line. Anadolu Agency reports that Martinelli finished his Arsenal spell with 278 appearances in all competitions, 62 goals and 36 assists. His honors with the club included the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield, while he also featured in the UEFA Champions League.

The financial terms were not disclosed by Al-Hilal. The Guardian reports that the fee is £60 million and includes a sell-on clause. If that figure is accurate, it would exceed the previous record fee Arsenal received for a player, the £40 million sale of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in 2017.

Why it matters

For Al-Hilal, Martinelli adds pace, direct running and experience from England and international football to an already ambitious squad. The club has also recruited England striker Ollie Watkins, giving its attack another high-profile option as it pursues domestic honors. Martinelli represented Brazil at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups and was part of the under-23 team that won Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020.

Martinelli said in an interview published by Al-Hilal that he made the decision after discussions with his family and after learning more about the club from technical director Simon Francis. He framed the move around competition and trophies, saying his goal is to help the team win titles and make its supporters happy. He also thanked Arsenal and its fans after describing the English club as his home during his years in London.

The move also reshapes Arsenal's options on the left side of attack. Martinelli's departure follows Leandro Trossard's transfer to Besiktas, leaving summer signing Christos Tzolis as the squad's natural senior specialist in that role, according to reports. That creates an early test of Arsenal's depth after a title-winning season, even though other forwards can operate from the left.

What comes next

Al-Hilal said Martinelli was due to join first-team training immediately ahead of the September 4 league match away to Al-Shabab. His availability for that fixture will depend on registration, fitness and the coaching staff's selection, but the short turnaround makes any first involvement a point to watch. Beyond a possible debut, the bigger question is how quickly he builds combinations with Al-Hilal's other attackers and converts his Premier League experience into an impact in the Saudi Pro League.