Martinelli Opens Door to Saudi Move as Al Hilal Hold Talks with Arsenal

By Reporter

Gabriel Martinelli has reportedly softened his stance on a move to Saudi Arabia, with Al Hilal opening talks with Arsenal over a potential deal for the Brazil international, Midwest Herald has gathered.

The 25-year-old winger has been conspicuously absent from Mikel Arteta’s matchday squads for Arsenal’s opening two games of the season, fuelling further speculation about his future at the Emirates.

Martinelli was not included in the squad for Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City and was again left out of the squad for Friday’s 3-0 win over Coventry.

The Brazilian has made 278 appearances for Arsenal since joining the club from Ituano in 2019, scoring 62 goals.

His situation has intensified after Martinelli rejected interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray this summer. The club reportedly made a bid worth around £38.4 million (€45 million), but the winger was not interested in a move to the Super Lig.

Al Hilal have now emerged as another potential destination, with talks understood to have begun between the Saudi Pro League club and Arsenal.

Unlike last summer, Martinelli is now believed to be open to the possibility of moving to Saudi Arabia.
The change represents a significant shift from 12 months ago, when the winger was reluctant to leave Europe despite interest from Al Nassr. The Saudi club had considered a bid of around £73 million for him, but Martinelli ultimately remained in north London and went on to help Arsenal win the Premier League title.

His future at Arsenal could still depend on whether the club succeeds in signing another player for the left-wing position.

Arsenal have already allowed Leandro Trossard to leave for Besiktas this summer, while Christos Tzolis has been brought in for a reported £34 million and has started on the left in the club’s opening two matches.

The situation has raised questions over whether Arsenal are preparing for Martinelli’s departure as they seek to raise funds for another major signing, potentially including a move for Julian Alvarez or a player of similar profile.

One assessment of the situation is that Arsenal are keeping Martinelli out of the squad because they do not want to risk an injury to a player who could still leave before the transfer window closes.

The approach, however, has left Martinelli in an uncertain position.

If Arsenal fail to sign another player in his position, he could return to Arteta’s plans because of his importance and value to the squad. But if another major attacking option arrives, his prospects of remaining at the club could diminish considerably.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has criticised the manner in which the club is currently handling Martinelli’s situation.

“The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable,” Wright told Sky Sports.

While acknowledging that Arsenal may have decided it is time for Martinelli to move on, Wright argued that the player should be given greater respect and clarity over his future.

He questioned the decision to leave Martinelli completely out of the squad without, in his view, adequately communicating with him about what is happening.

Martinelli joined Arsenal from Ituano in 2019 and has established himself as a key member of the squad during his seven seasons at the club.

However, with Al Hilal now showing interest and the player reportedly more receptive to a move to Saudi Arabia than he was a year ago, the Brazilian’s Arsenal future appears increasingly uncertain as the transfer window approaches its final stages.