Al-Hilal begin talks with Arsenal to sign winger Martinelli

Arsenal have opened the door to selling Gabriel Martinelli after confirming that Al-Hilal have entered formal negotiations for the Brazilian winger. The forward, no longer part of Mikel Arteta's plans, could leave the London club this summer in a deal that underlines Saudi football's growing financial muscle to lure players still in the prime of their careers.

• Al-Hilal have told Arsenal they are prepared to bid higher than Galatasaray's earlier offer.
• Martinelli has just 12 months left on his Emirates Stadium contract, adding urgency to any sale.
• The Brazilian previously turned down a move to Turkey despite a €45m bid on the table.
• Arteta left him out of the squad for the season-opening 3-0 win over Coventry.
• Ian Wright has publicly criticised how the club is handling the situation.

Why Martinelli no longer fits into Arteta's plans

Mikel Arteta's decision to freeze Martinelli out is not a snap call. The Spanish coach has reportedly explained his reasoning directly to the player, confirming that their working relationship has reached breaking point. Arteta had already omitted the winger from his matchday squad for the season opener, a clear indication that his time at the Emirates is drawing to a close.

Martinelli arrived in north London in 2019 from Brazilian club Ituano, largely unknown outside South America, before becoming a regular fixture in Arsenal's attack. Last season he made 53 appearances across all competitions and scored 11 goals as the club won the Premier League title, which makes his sudden fall from favour all the more striking.

The Galatasaray interest that went nowhere

Before Al-Hilal's move, it was Galatasaray who pushed hardest for the winger. The Turkish club tabled an offer of around €45m, a sum Arsenal would have considered seriously. However, Martinelli himself blocked any progress by showing no willingness to relocate to Istanbul, leaving the deal dead in the water despite the financial appeal for the London club.

Al-Hilal's offer and the new Saudi landscape

Al-Hilal have now stepped up their pursuit, informing Arsenal of their intention to beat the Turkish proposal. The Saudi club, one of the most ambitious in the region after several seasons of big-money signings, view Martinelli as a young player capable of significantly strengthening their squad, fitting the wider trend of the Saudi league bringing in top international talent still near its peak.

The pursuit of Martinelli is not an isolated move for the Saudi club. Al-Hilal are simultaneously in talks over Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who also missed out on a starting role in his side's opening-day defeat to Brighton, with Unai Emery declining to guarantee his future at Villa Park.

Ian Wright's criticism of Martinelli's treatment

The manner in which Arsenal are handling the winger's departure has not gone unnoticed among club legends. Former striker Ian Wright voiced his discomfort publicly, arguing that while a move away might make sense, the process should be handled with more care for the player involved.

"The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable. I know they might want him out, and a lot of people might say it's time for him to move on, but there's ways of doing that and it should suit him too, how he wants to leave," Wright told Sky Sports.

What this transfer means for Arsenal's next steps

With only a year left on his contract, Arsenal face a straightforward calculation: sell now for a decent fee or risk losing Martinelli for nothing next summer. That reality strengthens the case for engaging seriously with Al-Hilal, particularly if their bid clearly surpasses Galatasaray's earlier offer, giving the club fresh funds to reinvest in the transfer market.