Arsenal sells Gabriel Martinelli to Al-Hilal for £60 million

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has officially joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in a deal finalized late Thursday. The Premier League champions announced the transfer, although they did not disclose the exact fee. British media reports suggest the deal is worth a guaranteed £60 million ($81 million), making Martinelli the most expensive player to leave Arsenal, surpassing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £35 million exit to Liverpool in 2017.

This move comes on the heels of a busy transfer window for Arsenal. Martinelli’s departure follows the sale of fellow left-sided forward Leandro Trossard to Besiktas. Despite the arrival of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, concerns are rising about Arsenal's depth in attack, particularly after losing two key players in quick succession. Martinelli's signing with Al-Hilal also marks a significant moment in the Saudi Pro League, where Al-Hilal is currently competing for the top spot alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.

Martinelli, who is 25 years old, has signed a four-year contract with Al-Hilal. He was left out of Arsenal's first two matchday squads this season, prompting manager Mikel Arteta to suggest that game time would be limited if he stayed. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright publicly criticized the club’s handling of Martinelli, stating that the way he was treated felt uncomfortable and that the situation could have been managed better.

Looking ahead, Martinelli's transfer underlines the evolving landscape of football, where players are increasingly moving to leagues outside Europe. For Arsenal, this sale raises questions about their attacking options as they aim to build on last season’s success, which saw them lift the Premier League title for the first time since 2004. The club will need to strategize quickly to ensure they remain competitive in the league while adapting to these significant roster changes.