Reports on the exact fee have varied slightly by source, with figures ranging from around €65 million up to €70 million (roughly £60m, or as much as $81.2m by some counts). Whichever figure proves accurate, it comfortably makes Martinelli the most expensive departure in Arsenal’s history, surpassing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £35m move to Liverpool back in 2017. The agreement is also understood to include a sell-on clause, giving Arsenal a future cut if Al Hilal ever move him on again. Regulatory approval was still pending as the deal was finalised, standard procedure for a transfer of this size.
The writing had been on the wall for a while. Despite a full pre-season, Martinelli didn’t make the matchday squad for either the Community Shield or Arsenal’s opening two Premier League fixtures — a clear signal from Mikel Arteta that the Brazilian no longer figured in his first-team plans. Speaking to reporters before the move was finalised, Arteta struck a warm but resigned tone, acknowledging the affection the club holds for “Gabi” while making clear any outcome would be one all parties had agreed to.
The arrival of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, plus the sale of fellow left-sided forward Leandro Trossard to Besiktas earlier in the summer, reshaped the left-wing picture at Arsenal and left Martinelli increasingly squeezed for opportunities. Reports also indicate Arsenal explored — and missed out on — several elite wingers over the summer, including Morgan Rogers, Vinicius Junior and Bradley Barcola, before a move for Malick Fofana also failed to materialise. That left Tzolis as the club’s only recognised out-and-out left winger once Martinelli’s exit became clear.
However it ends, the numbers speak for themselves: 278 appearances, 62 goals, and a role in some of the club’s biggest recent moments — the 2020 FA Cup triumph, the 2023 Community Shield, and last season’s Premier League title win. He also earned 27 caps for Brazil, featuring at two World Cups, an Olympics and a Copa America during his time in north London.
Martinelli marked the moment with a heartfelt message to supporters, reflecting on arriving with what he described as anxiety, fear and doubt as a teenager, and leaving having become an FA Cup winner, a Community Shield winner and, finally, a Premier League champion.
Not everyone is convinced the business adds up. With Martinelli and Trossard — who combined for 19 goals last season — both gone, and no like-for-like elite replacement brought in beyond Tzolis, some observers have questioned whether Arsenal have left themselves light out wide for a season in which they’re expected to defend the Premier League title and go deep in the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. The expectation at the club is that Eberechi Eze will pick up more minutes on the left, with both Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka also seen as capable of covering that flank when needed.
Whether that’s enough attacking cover to survive a gruelling season across four competitions is a question Arteta may not get a definitive answer to until squad depth is properly tested in the winter months.
