Gabriel Martinelli has ended his seven-year spell at Arsenal after completing a £60m move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.
The 25-year-old Brazil international has signed a four-year contract with Simone Inzaghi’s side. Arsenal will receive a guaranteed £60m from the transfer, while the agreement also includes a sell-on clause.
Martinelli arrived in north London from Brazilian club Ituano in 2019 and developed into an important member of Arsenal’s attack. He entered the final 12 months of his contract this season but was no longer considered part of Mikel Arteta’s plans.
His departure comes after he was omitted from Arsenal’s opening two matchday squads of the new campaign. Arteta had indicated that regular playing opportunities would be difficult for the winger if he stayed at the Emirates Stadium.
Martinelli made 53 appearances across all competitions last season and scored 11 goals as Arsenal claimed their first Premier League title since 2004.
The Brazilian will now join an Al-Hilal squad that has undergone significant changes during the summer. England striker Ollie Watkins moved to the Saudi club from Aston Villa in a £51m deal, while Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville also arrived following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League.
Al-Hilal are currently level at the top of the Saudi Pro League with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and have strengthened their attacking options considerably under Inzaghi.
Martinelli is also expected to receive a substantial increase on the salary he earned at Arsenal, where he was reportedly paid around £180,000 per week.
His treatment during the closing stages of his Arsenal career had attracted criticism. Former Gunners striker Ian Wright questioned the club’s handling of the situation after Martinelli was left out of the squad for the opening league fixture against Coventry, arguing that the player deserved a more considerate departure after his years of service.
Martinelli leaves Arsenal having spent seven seasons with the club and now begins the next stage of his career in Saudi Arabia as part of Al-Hilal’s renewed push for domestic success.