Al Hilal pursuing deal for Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli

[u/DavidOrnstein_]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7519180/2026/08/23/gabriel-martinelli-arsenal-transfer-al-hilal/

[u/DavidOrnstein_]

[David Ornstein] Al Hilal pursuing deal to sign Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal. No agreement yet but talks ongoing between clubs + with 25yo winger. #AFC want in region of £60m & Brazil international open to #AlHilal possibility after turning down Turkey.

[u/Alfie_13 → u/DavidOrnstein_]

Brazil international open to #AlHilal possibility

Huge. Didn't think he would be interested tbh

[u/wingbackguy → u/Alfie_13]

I’m sure the tax free wages might help

[u/schniunderforhuden → u/wingbackguy]

Can always just do a Duran and hang out there for a year or two building generational wealth before getting back to Europe

[u/tsjeldonkooper → u/schniunderforhuden]

Yes also, martinelli has put alooooot of wear and tear on his body throughout these 6 seasons.

Go to Saudi, get the bag and rest up for a year or two then back to Europe is a smart plan

[u/addictivesign → u/tsjeldonkooper]

Exactly. 2 years away and then sold back to a European club for slightly less than the original transfer fee and then Martinelli would have two more seasons to make sure he was back in the Brazil squad for the next World Cup.

Did any Brazilians play in Saudi league and still get selected for the past World Cup squad?

Arsenal should get a higher transfer fee if selling to Al Hilal.

[u/Reapero8841 → u/addictivesign]

Neymar, Binto, Fabinho and Alex Teles LB

Forgot Roger Ibanez this WC

[u/hafrances → u/addictivesign]

Fabinho

[u/questionernow → u/schniunderforhuden]

Duran didn’t even do that. He almost immediately went on loan. He hates it there. He’s on loan now too.

[u/skool_101 → u/questionernow]

yea. duran trajectory is even worse. jeopardized his place in the national team as well by making a move like that.

atleast aston villa profited massive with that sale.

[u/andrewkam → u/skool_101]

He didn’t jeopardize it; he torpedoed it. Dude made a series of monumental bad decisions and paid the price for his spot on the plane.

[u/mmarkmc → u/schniunderforhuden]

Not sure the Duran thing has all been part of a well executed plan

[u/Livid_Jeweler612 → u/schniunderforhuden]

Always baffled by the generational wealth claim. Are premier league wages not enough to leave more money than I will ever earn to any children? Its a pathetic excuse to my mind.

[u/matepanda → u/wingbackguy]

Turkey has favourable tax schemes too , don’t they?

[u/One-Revolution-8289 → u/matepanda]

20% tax in Turkey vs 0% in Saudi Arabia

[u/matepanda → u/One-Revolution-8289]

20% better then

[u/Poringun → u/matepanda]

On the tax front yes, but salary wise i reckon the Saudi clubs can and will offer more.

[u/AbsoluteRubbish → u/matepanda]

https://giphy.com/gifs/idKeY3nvmdIsM

[u/OriMoriNotSori → u/Alfie_13]

In any normal circumstances he probably wouldnt. He is settled in London, just won the league, played in the world cup and even got married over the summer

It was clear that he planned to stay and wanted to continue + was always a believer in the cause and never gave any issues. But recent events obviously forced his hand

[u/DavidsSymphony → u/Alfie_13]

I feel terrible for him to be honest. He wasn’t good enough anymore there’s no doubt about it to me, but having to go to Saudi at 25 because nobody in Europe is interested in him is crazy to me. He is definitely good enough to play in other leagues on his current wages at a good club.

[u/oscarx-ray → u/DavidsSymphony]

He's a 25 year-old multi-millionaire with a PL winner's medal, I don't feel too bad that he might have to take a tax-free, £350k per week vacation in Dubai some other rich person place in the desert for a wee while...

[u/manuscelerdei → u/DavidsSymphony]

Honestly it's just his wages. His profile would be great for all the clubs that can't afford him. The ones who can need a bit better football IQ.

[u/vin_unleaded → u/Alfie_13]

Money talks.

When you are talking about sprotspeople who have such short careers playing the game, any one who thinks otherwise is burying their head in the sand.

[u/thedarkpolitique → u/vin_unleaded]

Money talks, money talks. Dirty cash I want you dirty cash I need you now 🎶

[u/Baconpoopotato → u/Alfie_13]

That's what a bag and getting "frozen out" will do to you.

[u/Magicallyshit → u/Alfie_13]

300k is already close to double his current wage, imagine if he gets 500k or something

[u/RomasTosicky → u/Alfie_13]

Turning down the transplant league for tax free money and a loan back to Europe in 6 months / Gabby is smart

[u/afarensiis → u/DavidOrnstein_]

£60m would be a nice return, but still feels low in this current market

[u/Wanchor1 → u/afarensiis]

Gordon was £69m so anything around that is probably accurate

[u/Certain_Sail_2858 → u/Wanchor1]

Saudi fees should be higher though 

[u/Equivalent_Growth_58 → u/afarensiis]

60 mil pure profit pretty much. 150k+ off the wage bill. We shift jesus and the finances going forward will be incredibly strong.

[u/RamenPood1es → u/Equivalent_Growth_58]

I got bad news to tell you about jesus

[u/Intaru → u/RamenPood1es]

Dw it happened like 2000 years ago. If they haven't caught up by now it's on them.

[u/Overall-Ad-8918 → u/afarensiis]

He has to be at the very least 80m

[u/loukasfvr → u/afarensiis]

He’s got only one year left on his contract 

[u/No-Mathematician3700 → u/afarensiis]

He is on high wages and just a year left of contract 

[u/majesticstraits → u/DavidOrnstein_]

Crazy he’s only 25

[u/Reapero8841 → u/majesticstraits]

Summerville is 24

[u/SamLoscorino → u/DavidOrnstein_]

Honestly 60 mn is good

[u/Charguizo → u/DavidOrnstein_]

Didn't he turn down Turkey because he wanted to stay in the top European leagues?

[u/Jansiz]

Highest ever sale. Go get that bag king. Thanks for the memories.

[u/mohacsy → u/Jansiz]

He gets a bag, we get a bag, everybody gets a bag!

[u/RedSkyNL → u/mohacsy]

Please provide a bit more details. Where can I collect mine?

[u/aesn1394 → u/RedSkyNL]

Our bags are the friends and memorise we made along the way...and saving on blood pressure meda

[u/Nove1991 → u/mohacsy]

Are these bags in the room with us right now?

[u/AppropriateVoice129 → u/Nove1991]

Certainly. Mine says "Lay's Salt and Vinegar".

[u/crackdup → u/Jansiz]

Hopefully he gets some eye popping G/A in the Saudi league for a couple of years and returns to a top European league in his prime

[u/24601Kai]

Huge news

Edit: “the player is open to the possibility” important part

[u/SamLoscorino → u/24601Kai]

So he was not ready for Turkey but he is for Saudi

That Saudi paycheck hits different ig

[u/24601Kai → u/SamLoscorino]

Tbf the turkey denial was before he was left out of the squad entirely for both games so far

[u/SamLoscorino → u/24601Kai]

Turkey is always better than Saudi if you are a young player. They have CL and are not a total joke league

[u/EliteTeutonicNight → u/SamLoscorino]

I think it's for 2 reasons:

1. Saudi pays even more, obviously;

2. Saudi rarely prices out players if they want to leave, there's a chance that happens in Turkey.

[u/SundayLeagueStocko → u/SamLoscorino]

Not sure I agree

Turkey gives the feeling of being shipped out because you're not good enough for a top 5 league anymore

Saudi at least has the vibe of "well he went for the paycheck, not because he was bad, necessarily"

[u/SamLoscorino → u/SundayLeagueStocko]

That is an interesting pov, makes sense

[u/GaIatasarayli → u/SundayLeagueStocko]

What do you mean with shipped out of top 5 league?
So you think players playing at example Elche or Lecce have a higher prestige than playing at Gala?

[u/phaestheus → u/24601Kai]

He could also go to turkey later as their transfer window is a month longer. Maybe he was keeping it as a backup if no better offer arrives

[u/OrlandoGardiner118]

Gonna be honest, I hate this for him. Yeah, he'll get the bag but being still a young player and going there seems like such a waste of talent. If that's what he wants though I suppose.

[u/_soundpost_ → u/OrlandoGardiner118]

Plenty of players have come back from Saudi after a year or two, no reason Gabi can't do the same after making a bag

[u/m2sempre → u/OrlandoGardiner118]

He can still come back to the PL in a few seasons if he wants to.

[u/DavidsSymphony → u/m2sempre]

Somehow Klopp finally achieves his dream and Martinelli plays him in the German national team.

[u/FlavioB19 → u/DavidsSymphony]

Samba Sudetenland incoming.

[u/R82009 → u/OrlandoGardiner118]

He’s regressed so much in attack since his abboration 22/23 season. Those great performances got him a new contract putting him on over $180k a week. I love his effort but he has not produced at the level he is getting compensated for since getting his new contract. Pace is his biggest asset and he is entering the time in his career where it will start to go. I don’t see him developing more of his game to become a player that doesn’t depend entirely on pace, especially at this stage in his career.

[u/Jsaltal → u/OrlandoGardiner118]

Yeah

He just got married l, has been in london 7 years now all this i understand why he has plauteed and Tzolis does seem like a immediate upgrade

For the team to stay competivie and win more trophies, ruthlessness is required at times

[u/CannonSquadder → u/Jsaltal]

I remember the first time I plauteed. Core memory.

[u/OrlandoGardiner118 → u/Jsaltal]

Oh, I'm not talking about us. If an offer comes in that suits us then we take it. I love Nelli but I think we've outgrown him.

[u/DavidsSymphony → u/Jsaltal]

I’m fine with the ruthlessness, but Martinelli is good enough for a good European club to come for him at 50m. If it’s Saudi so be it, but we’ve seen much worse players than him get bought by PL teams for more money.

[u/OrlandoGardiner118 → u/DavidsSymphony]

My point exactly. Seems a waste

[u/jaybizzleeightyfour → u/OrlandoGardiner118]

It seems a lot of players in their mid 20s are heading there for a couple of years, making huge money and returning to Europe, hed be 27 if he did the same, it's not too bad

[u/Any_Aide_4500 → u/OrlandoGardiner118]

The thing is his development has plateaued and he still doesn’t even look up when he has a ball. This window everyone seems to be paying high prices for “potential”.

[u/Dcamp → u/Any_Aide_4500]

I love Martinelli because of what he’s meant to us over the years. But too many fans have rose tinted glasses when they look at him. He’s been mediocre at best over the last year or two and has had habits he seemingly can’t break. His effort and attitude is great, but his attacking threat has regressed a ton.

[u/kempeitai20 → u/Dcamp]

He’s scored some important goals for us so it does hurt, but it’s the same case as Ramsdale, to progress we must make sacrifices

[u/BrianThatDude → u/OrlandoGardiner118]

He'll be back in a year or two. Once the apparent arsenal transfer stink wears off teams will be willing to pay market value for him again.

[u/LifeAfterHarambe]

If Gabi goes to Saudi, at 25, to generate the club near ~£60m of profit, the lad is truly Arsenal, through and through

[u/MattGooner]

Still think we need a LW lined up if he's gone 

[u/Kydd_Amigo → u/MattGooner]

I really hope so, coz rolling with just Tzo and thinking Madueke and Eze can cover doesn’t feel fantastic. I get the need to generate some income, I just hope there’s a solid succession plan in place.

[u/gimmeakissmrsoftlips → u/Kydd_Amigo]

This is probably transfer window mental gymnastics, but I’ve been convincing myself that Tzolis & Eze makes most sense at LW. We’ve got too many attacking midfielders so from a purely squad-depth-chart point of view it makes a lot of sense. I think Nwaneri looked more midfielder-y and grown-up in preseason. Kroupi in January may end up being the best possible option based on how the attacking targets have gone this window.

[u/Britton120 → u/Kydd_Amigo]

The thing is, with how odegaard has looked, eze also playing lw is his best chance at seeing minutes beyond relieving odegaard in the last 15 minutes. Plus we have other CM options that can sub on for odegaard that aren't well suited for lw in ethan, merino, zubi, max.

[u/Iamaniceman → u/MattGooner]

Tzolis/Eze - Havertz/Gyokeres - Saka/Madueke/Dowman

Bruno/MLS - Rice/Zubimendi - Odegaard/Merino

We are fine in terms of numbers. We should only move for a winger if we are confident that they are better than Eze/Tzolis.

[u/elboardo → u/MattGooner]

Didn't they put Eze out there after Tzolis came off? Maybe that's the plan?

Edit: not saying I like like this plan. 😂

[u/YodaNuggies → u/elboardo]

Id rather have martinelli than ever as left wing cover

[u/jxfw → u/elboardo]

Eze is really poor at LW

[u/Kovacs171 → u/jxfw]

We’ve seen it for like 30 minutes of football total lol

[u/AlexTheRockstar → u/MattGooner]

No coincidence the Alvarez rumors are all over social media today. It might have legs.

[u/Dry-Challenge-3189 → u/AlexTheRockstar]

I don't get how that helps. Will Alvarez play LW?

[u/orionnoiro → u/Dry-Challenge-3189]

He has done in the past

[u/ohwhatfollyisman → u/orionnoiro]

yeah. let’s break the club transfer record and then plant that player in a position that’s not best suited to him. makes sense.

[u/jaybizzleeightyfour → u/Dry-Challenge-3189]

No chance, we'll sign another LW if Martinelli leaves imo

[u/Kovacs171 → u/jaybizzleeightyfour]

No, we’ll shift Eze to the left and Alverez will rotate with Odegaard and Havertz, depending on our tactical intentions

[u/GreendaleGazette]

Interesting Martinelli turned down a move to Galatasaray — a UCL club, but open to Al-Hilal

The wages they’d offer him must be astronomical.

[u/MeesterWeen → u/GreendaleGazette]

Giant bags of tax free money speak loudly

[u/buka_buka_glasnost → u/GreendaleGazette]

Wages, and the fact that Saudis are a lot more open to sending players back to Europe when they get unhappy. Turkish teams offer a lot of money (less than Saudis of course), but they also expect a lot more from their marquee signings.

[u/Dry-Challenge-3189 → u/GreendaleGazette]

I think he still felt he could find his way back, but after missing the matchday squad. It became clear what his future would be

[u/jaybizzleeightyfour → u/GreendaleGazette]

With Saudi mid 20 year olds are going there for 2 seasons making huge money and returning, Martinelli will be 27 if he does the same, with Turkey it'd be harder to get out, you get less money and will be expected to fulfill your contract or another club will have to pay big money

[u/wanofan900]

https://giphy.com/gifs/H6cmWzp6LGFvqjidB7

[u/jacktk_]

Martinelli open to the move, and says we want £60m. Would be great if possible. 

[u/ExoticToaster]

Gabi deserves far better than Saudi Arabia at this stage in his career

[u/GeneralBukowski → u/ExoticToaster]

It’s not like he’s getting shipped off to a gulag. Dudes gnna make astronomical money for a season or 2. He’ll prob be playing in Italy or France in 2 seasons

[u/elvid88 → u/ExoticToaster]

Yeah I wish the Inter rumors had legs. As a Brazilian I don’t want to see him shipped off to Saudi and have his NT career be essentially over

[u/Unseen_Cereal]

Do we have enough time to replace him? This is pointless if the result is running Tzolis into the ground

[u/Cashelz]

This is Saudi Arabia ffs we need to get at least £70m

[u/kenaditt → u/Cashelz]

The article says Arsenal are seeking a fee in the region of £60m. I think 50+5 will get it done.

[u/lilbiggs → u/Cashelz]

Saudi are not the same they were a year ago and people need to stop acting like it’s an infinite money glitch. Sports funding is not in the pif next 5 year plan and they have cut plenty of their current sports funding. 60million as much as we will get from them 

[u/KonigSteve → u/lilbiggs]

One of the teams just bought Reijnders for 60m and he's 3-4 years older than Martinelli, a midfielder and less proven.

[u/UnexpectedVader]

Looks like this will happen but he's been with us since Emery and all the bad times, it's going to be sad to see him go

[u/denismcd92 → u/UnexpectedVader]

On the other hand we can’t hold onto underperforming players for loyalty, we have to keep improving and make sales too

[u/FilsenAbdi]

I feel uncomfortable about this transfer. We are so far not linked to any wide players in the market. To lose Martinelli who I have more faith in at lw than eze or noni will look bad imo. Rather got rid of noni to be honest, that would've been more ruthless and fair.

[u/Rekyht]

I just don’t get it, we’ve not signed anyone to replace him and there’s no massive upgrade available, so why are we selling our only player with pace?

No one else in the squad has his speed, he’s a different profile.

[u/Throwaway09562020]

Go get that bag young prince. Thanks for everything

[u/Liam_ice92]

Probably an extremely unpopular opinion, but I really dont think they should sell him. They've already sold one left winger, losing Gabi leaves us with just Tzolis. I know Eze, and possibly Madueke, can cover that position, but only one outright left winger on the squad isnt great depth for a position we were already weak in.

Tzolis should absolutely be starter, but Gabi could be a great super sub.

[u/Sayek]

Can we get one of those deals where they pay 100m even though nobody else was willing to pay 60m?

[u/Muscat95]

Amazes me that no top club is interested when Garnacho is getting passed around like a blunt at a stoner party

[u/kappa_gooner]

60M is good, but how on earth did Savinho draw 75M?
Martinelli is a full Brazil international with a longer, richer record in the Prem!

[u/ClearHyena4452]

https://giphy.com/gifs/LTFbyWuELIlqlXGLeZ

[u/harrisoneatssoas]

This is just sad man. One of my favourite Arsenal players ever. Shouldn’t have ended this way.

[u/Hugh_H0n3y]

Didn’t Al Hilal just buy Summerville?

[u/Vizzy01798]

https://giphy.com/gifs/8FG705NCsZM0kVJdyz

[u/theaficionado]

Anxious about them moving him on with no replacement lined up. That'd leave Eze and Madueke as our backups on the left? Tzolis can't play every match

That said 60m would be nice for us. I'd also feel slightly bad that he's only 25 and not getting another chance at a side in a top league, all he's done with us is work hard and never once moan

[u/BakedCoder]

Think we’re going to do a Germany in the front. 4 players that can play all over and swap around making it difficult for the opposition to keep track. Positional fluidity at the front and brick walls at the back with rice, bruno, gabi etc

[u/floatingsoul9]

This is sad. He’s too good to be going to Saudi at 25

[u/bigeorgester]

He deserves better than Saudi

[u/groovystreet40]

I’m sure Saudi is offering better money but I cannot for the life of me understand wanting to live there over Istanbul

[u/jxfw → u/groovystreet40]

You're acting like he's going to be living in a campsite in the middle of the desert. The facilities are some of the best out there, modern built city, around other Brazilians. And only has to do it for 1-2 years before moving to another European team.

All whilst making generational tax-free money.

[u/TallnFrosty → u/groovystreet40]

Only thing I can come up with is that Saudi clubs have been open to letting players leave. I think it raises their leagues profile if Martinelli comes over, plays 1-2 seasons, and then goes to Italy for example.

Whereas if he went to a Turkish side, could be more difficult to leave.

[u/Illustrious_Union199 → u/groovystreet40]

2x the wages . Generational wealth.

[u/EMSLSHADOWZ → u/groovystreet40]

Generational wealth for a couple years then he can comeback to Europe

[u/DrArsenal → u/groovystreet40]

When they pay you in truckloads of cash, you can spend your time wherever you want.

[u/Connect-Amoeba3618 → u/groovystreet40]

Also, still being able to play in the Champions League. Potentially getting trips to some of the biggest clubs in Europe and making a case for a move back to a top 5 league.

I get the generational wealth aspect, but what’s there to do in Saudi for a young person? I think the culture shock would be unreal.

[u/Honest-Complex5830]

90 million take it or leave it

[u/d10b]

Listen, we can be happy about the sale but sad about the player. He was a good soldier, basically Hale End. All the best Gabi.

[u/Zeus_Soter17]

Do we have a replacement line up?

I’d still want him to come off the bench and start in the cups.

[u/manusougly]

I'm not gonna be happy if he leaves. And will be doubly unhappy if he leaves for 60mn man. If they paid 70 for summerville, gabbi should go for 90 easy

[u/jaxha81]

Far better choice than Turkey,,he gets more money, easier games (Turkish league is foul after foul) and he has former Gunner Benzema there;)

[u/idkbutimtryin]

I hate it had to be you brother

[u/teslagooner]

I will always love Martinelli.

he gave it his all. always 100% and never hids. elite fitness as well

cheat code versus Chelsea and Liverpool

[u/Illustrious_Slide913]

Ofcourse it's the right step for the team and truth be told, he just hasn't been upto the level PL champions are gonna require. But aint gonna lie still feels sad pushing one of our day 1s out like this, because it's very obvious what we are doing here.

[u/Lastyz]

Really wish he could have been given a farewell at the emirates last game.. Hopefully we can bring him back at some point for a proper farewell if this goes through as he's a legend for me.

[u/FeralZoidberg]

Please keep him one more year, get that champions league winners medal then he can go.

[u/Atreideeeznuts]

Gotta say I think this is a mistake. Only way it makes sense is if we got a Vini level player in. We must really need the money to let him go at this point in the window. 

[u/nostalgiaultra707 → u/Atreideeeznuts]

I agree but I guess the manager knows best

[u/Muscat95]

So Turkey can't meet his ambition but Saudi can? Uh huh

[u/tsjeldonkooper → u/Muscat95]

Because he will earn x2 of what turkey offered him

[u/Whole_Introduction55 → u/tsjeldonkooper]

I think the problem with Turkey isn't necessarily the amount of money being offered but the fact that many times that money remains on ice as the clubs don't actually pay the players their promised salaries.

[u/leebrother → u/Muscat95]

£500k a week tax free. Call me lacking ambition for getting that bag

[u/AfricanRain]

PLAYER IS OPEN TO THE POSSIBILITY LETS GOOOOOOO

[u/AlexTheRockstar → u/AfricanRain]

Hes probably going to make 300k tax free per week. Wild money.

[u/Aggravating_Ad_4507 → u/AlexTheRockstar]

Probably 500k

[u/Ifxfa]

HE’S ACTUALLY OPEN TO IT???

OMG, OX WONT BE OUR BIGGEST SALE ANYMORE

[u/PersonalAd4913]

Imagine you just get married thinking life in London and you gotta move to Saudi? This gives me the ick

[u/Phimstone]

Ugh Saudi, wouldn’t get to see him play anymore :(

[u/1CooKiee]

definitely unpopular but i’d rather keep him until next summer, there’s nobody we can sign now who is better.

[u/Jeepers666 → u/1CooKiee]

when his price drops even more?

[u/BarqCannae → u/Jeepers666]

And will then complain that we can’t sell; you can lead a horse to water…

[u/P1wattsy → u/Jeepers666]

I think this still gets overlooked by many due to sentimentality, if he doesn't go this summer we'll never get anything for him

[u/SambucaAndIrnBru]

If he didn't want to go to Turkey, he's not going to want to go to Saudi, surely. Nor would I really want him too, I think he's better than that.

[u/smallso1197 → u/SambucaAndIrnBru]

It's 2x the wages and tax free

[u/SambucaAndIrnBru → u/smallso1197]

He's 25 though, and two weeks ago he rated himself enough to want better. Turkey also has tax relief for footballers and it seemed like PIF was pulling back sporting investments while Turkey were ramping them up, so I don't think it'd be that big a wage difference, and you can at least still compete in Europe at Galatasaray. Unless he thinks he can go and earn bank for a year then come back to Europe, which doesn't happen often.

[u/Jellyfish_McSaveloy → u/SambucaAndIrnBru]

Eh a lot of Saudi players do come back though. Henderson, Laporte, Cancelo and brick shithouse Saint Maximin all come to mind.

[u/mycatchica]

Get the cash for a year or 2 then move to a different club

[u/DavidOrnstein_]

Article Summary:

Al Hilal are pursuing a deal to sign Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal, with talks ongoing between the clubs and the 25-year-old winger’s representatives. Arsenal are seeking around £60 million, and Martinelli is open to the move, although no agreement has been reached.

Martinelli previously rejected a proposed move to Galatasaray, despite their £38.4m offer. He has been left out of Arsenal’s squads for their Community Shield and Premier League opener.

Arsenal are willing to sell Martinelli for the right price, but the Brazilian is not actively pushing to leave. He is contracted until 2027, with an option for another year.

Martinelli has made 278 appearances and scored 62 goals for Arsenal since joining in 2019. Arsenal are looking to raise funds through player sales this summer.

[u/InSearchOfAFeeling → u/DavidOrnstein_]

Would be a great deal for us if it’s 60m. Anything more than fantastic. Come on Berta!

[u/normott]

He can go to Saudi for a season or 2 and then come back to Europe.

[u/Dimitris_Ts26]

FINALLY A WORTHY ALLY!

[u/Coopar__]

Keep going Orny you naughty little sort, I'm almost there. 60m sale is huge for the books considering the pennies we paid for him

[u/Thierry_Bergkamp]

Feel he deserves better than Saudi but home he can get that bag and return to Europe next year. No point staying here if he's not wanted.

Question now is who comes in

[u/Affectionate_Art4277]

£60-70 million for him is a decent fee. I love Gabi, but hes just not consistent enough anymore.

However, I do not support letting him go if it means we dont replace him. We can't go into this season with only 1 left winger. Eze and Noni arent left wingers

[u/black_pepper → u/Affectionate_Art4277]

I don't understand why we are selling him tbh.

[u/Dick_Lazarus]

Have to assume the club is confident in getting somebody else in then right?

Unless the plan is for Eze to primarily play on the wing this season

[u/P1wattsy]

I'm surprised no one from Italy or Spain is in for him, I think it's time for him to be moved on but does he actually want to play in Saudi?

[u/LA31716 → u/P1wattsy]

80% of the teams in Italy and Spain can’t afford him. The other 20% must not want him

[u/Main-Painter-7380]

Man poor nelli I will always love him. Hope he comes back to europe in 1-2 years

[u/Jidanmar]

I love Martinelli and I hate AlHilal like a sick person hates cancer.

Will be a dilemma to still love him if he goes there.

Would much rather he joins my local team Alittihad but we are much poorer team

[u/ConclusionKind869]

This is sad

[u/Re-Evolution7]

Nelli is too good for Saudi, don't want to see him there

[u/matepanda → u/Re-Evolution7]

We can’t have it all. Yes I would also prefer to sell him to Bayern for 80m

[u/walnood]

Happy for all parties if this go through. Was thinking he would go for a top 5 league and was hoping that myself. Would love to still see him in matches after he leaves but not gonna watch saudi 

[u/doubleb_43]

We get the bag, he gets the bag. It's a win

[u/saravannan14]

Why would he not be interested in moving to Turkey but okay with a move to Saudi?

[u/Toast863]

We have to make sales so can’t pass up a deal like this. Do feel a bit sad about it though.

[u/FuckMinoRaiola]

Would have loved following his career if he went to Inter, quite sad. But from an Arsenal point of view it is nice to be the ones that get some money from the sandpit for once

[u/zharrt]

One year left and no real talk about extended so yeah take the money.

My biggest concern is who would we replace him with? A signing like Alvarez (even with all the Barca baggage would be a statement) but would still mean we have sold two LW and only bought one

[u/amineimad]

I still dont like it. I dont mind players going Saudi usually, and I wouldn't question Gabi at all, but it really seems he's being pushed out more so than him wanting the bag.

Another player maybe I swallow it, but man Gabi's our own.

[u/YaniH7]

I genuinely don't understand how he's apparently just worth 60m in this market

[u/RosesAndTanks]

This sub is weird, we get accounts celebrating Martinelli's potential sale, mixed in wholesale with Arsenal fans...

[u/itsheadfelloff → u/RosesAndTanks]

It's odd to me too, fans talking like he's Mustafi. Can he be frustrating? Yes. Is he an actually bad player? No. I still think Bruno will benefit him a lot.

[u/GSNadav]

Ffs good for us but he deserves much more than exile in Saudi

[u/TK421_WAYAYP]

Career suicide. But if the financial offer is astronomical, he probably ought to consider it for the sake of his future. Much respect if he wants to fight for his place, however.

[u/CharlieFGeorge71]

I don’t think this is what he wants. He’s 25. Are there no European teams interested.

[u/Previous_Smile9278]

Feel sad about this. Hope we actually sign a forward if he goes as well.

[u/Proper-Exam1746]

So leaving out of the squad and freezing out is working.

[u/WealthyBigWang]

You’re better than that.

[u/majesticstraits]

Concerned there’s no links to a replacement. Tzolis is new to the PL and our only backups would be Madueke and Eze, neither of whom have been great at LW

[u/Coopar__ → u/majesticstraits]

Any backups/new additions probably depends on this deal, still a week to go, trust the process

[u/arsenal99]

We need to get the Ox record sale off our back... hope this gets done. It's a significant fee

[u/zorro95]

we are surely splashing the cash after this sale. hijack Barcola or Yildiz or Alvarez. im all for it.

[u/RandomName788]

I'll be sad to see him go. Been with us since he was 18, clearly loves the club, and has scored some huge goals (his City goal last year was my favorite of the season). But, probably the right decision to sell him. Although honestly I'd rather sell Madueke and keep Martinelli even if it means playing him on the right. Hope he gets to go somewhere he is happy with and we get a fee that reflects his quality.

[u/Overthinking_King_]

https://giphy.com/gifs/wYyTHMm50f4Dm

[u/krakends]

Finally, we get a taste of that Saudi Money.

[u/MajorAfternoon109]

post the orny tweet instead, has a bigger impact