Arsenal player has now boarded his flight as his exit edges closer to being confirmed
One of Arsenal’s longest serving players is leaving the Emirates Stadium for good.
As we enter the final week of the summer transfer window, there are still several players on the books that Andrea Berta is working on selling.
Gabriel Jesus is among those expected to depart, as are Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson.
Ethan Nwaneri could also still leave, with Arsenal considering loan offers for the 19-year-old.
But amid all that, they are finally about to break their record transfer sale, which has stood since 2017.
Indeed, Gabriel Martinelli is on his way to Saudi Arabia right now.
Gabriel Martinelli is expected to land in Saudi Arabia today
According to Alfredo Pedulla, the deal between Martinelli and Al-Hilal is done, where he will play under Simone Inzaghi.
The transfer is worth approximately €59million and is set to take the Brazilian to the Saudi Pro League, in what could be the start of a strategic relationship.
Martinelli has boarded a flight that has now left London and is expected to land in Riyadh today.
Although it’s widely seen as the right time to move him on, it’s a bittersweet moment for Arsenal fans.
They have watched Martinelli grow from a raw, energetic teenager signed from Brazilian side Ituano for just £6million in 2019 into a Premier League champion and established Brazil international.
He was one of the faces of Arsenal’s rebuild, a player who embodied the hunger, the energy and the relentless pressing that made Mikel Arteta’s early years.
His six Champions League goals last season ranked him among the best in Europe in that competition.
In the Premier League, although he only scored one goal, it was arguably the most important — the late equaliser against Manchester City in September.
Last time out against Manchester City in the Premier League…
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 19, 2026
Gabi's stroke of genius levelled things up in N5 😮💨
🤝 @Bitpanda_global pic.twitter.com/1Mq3OUcGiU
Unfortunately, his time at the club has ended in rather cruel fashion, having not even been told he was up for sale when he was offered out to Galatasaray earlier this month.
He was then excluded from the Arsenal squad completely for the Community Shield match and the Premier League opener against Coventry.
But football moves on. It’s a ruthless old game.
Arsenal have brought in Christos Tzolis this summer, a relative unknown who is already quickly making a name for himself in the Premier League.
The pursuit of a final attacking addition is ongoing, with talks held with Atletico Madrid over a possible move for Julian Alvarez.
As for Martinelli, he will undoubtedly go down as a cult hero and one of the most important figures during Arteta’s time as Arsenal manager.
