Gabriel Martinelli has completed his move from Arsenal to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal for a guaranteed £60m, bringing his seven-year spell with the north London club to an end.
The 25-year-old Brazil international has agreed a four-year contract with Al-Hilal, who have also secured a sell-on clause as part of the deal.
Martinelli had entered the final year of his Arsenal contract and was no longer central to Mikel Arteta’s plans for the new campaign. He was left out of the club’s first two matchday squads of the season after being informed that opportunities would be limited if he remained at the Emirates.
His departure closes a chapter that began in 2019, when Arsenal signed him from Brazilian side Ituano. Martinelli went on to make 53 appearances last season, scoring 11 goals as Arsenal won their first Premier League title since 2004.
Once a Gunner, always a Gunner ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NtcVdv7GP3
— Gabriel Martinelli (@gabimartinelli) September 3, 2026
Arsenal’s Martinelli joins Al-Hilal in £60m move
The winger’s time in England ended despite remaining a regular contributor last season, as his situation became increasingly clear amid Arsenal’s reshaping of their attacking options over the summer.
Martinelli will now join an Al-Hilal squad that also includes former Premier League players Ollie Watkins and Crysencio Summerville. Watkins moved from Aston Villa for £51m, while Summerville arrived from relegated West Ham.
Simone Inzaghi’s side are currently joint-top of the Saudi Pro League alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, giving Martinelli the opportunity to begin a new chapter in Saudi Arabia.
”I am here to win titles for the club, and help my teammates to make the fans happy.“ 💬
First interview with Gabriel Martinelli 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/074SK7SvY5
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) September 3, 2026
Al-Hilal are understood to have offered the Brazilian substantially improved financial terms compared with his reported £180,000-a-week salary at Arsenal.
Martinelli appeared to acknowledge the move after being unveiled by his new club, saying: “Proud to be blue, proud to be Al-Hilal.”
His exit had been preceded by criticism of Arsenal’s handling of his situation. Former Gunners striker Ian Wright questioned the decision to leave Martinelli out of the squad for the opening league fixture against Coventry City.
“The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable,” Wright told Sky Sports.
The transfer nevertheless brings a clear conclusion to Arsenal’s decision to move on from a player who had become an important part of their attack since his arrival six years ago.
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