Martinelli's Saudi Switch Closes Arsenal Chapter After Peripheral Campaign

The 25-year-old's departure marks the end of a seven-year spell with the Gunners, capping a season in which his role diminished significantly. Martinelli made just 11 starts in Arsenal's title-winning campaign last season despite appearing in 30 league matches, his lowest starter count since 2020/21.

The Al Hilal transfer eclipses Arsenal's previous record, the £40m sale of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in 2017. According to Sky Sports, the deal includes a sell-on clause and registers as pure profit for the club, given Martinelli joined as an 18-year-old from Brazilian outfit Ituano in 2019.

Martinelli had rejected a €38.9m move to Galatasaray earlier in the summer, preferring the Saudi Pro League switch. His exit takes Arsenal's summer transfer income beyond £120m, following Leandro Trossard's sale to Besiktas in July.

The winger leaves with 191 Premier League appearances, 41 goals and 24 assists to his name. While he starred in 2022/23, scoring 15 goals as Arsenal chased a title, he found himself third-choice on the left flank this season, displaced by new signing Christos Tzolis and competition from Eberechi Eze.

With Martinelli gone, Bukayo Saka remains the sole survivor from Mikel Arteta's inherited squad, having overseen a complete rebuild since December 2019.