Gabriel Martinelli could become one of Arsenal’s most valuable departures, but a potential £50million sale to Al Hilal would also expose an uncomfortable question about Mikel Arteta’s attacking depth.
Financially, a deal appears attractive. Martinelli has fallen behind Christos Tzolis, missed Arsenal’s first two competitive squads and could command a significant fee despite an inconsistent recent campaign.
However, selling him would leave Arsenal without either of the two established left-wing options they used last season.
Leandro Trossard has already departed. Martinelli could follow.
That would leave Tzolis carrying responsibility for a position Arsenal previously protected with two experienced players.
Al-Hilal in talks for Gabriel Martinelli and are prepared to pay close to £50m.
Martinelli has become open to Saudi, having also received an approach last summer.
Arsenal willing to sell. Martinelli has already been told #AFC want to move him on.🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/BjxKQzZgDk
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 23, 2026
Gabriel Martinelli sale follows another Arsenal departure
Trossard joined Besiktas earlier this summer in a deal worth up to £17million.
Sky Sports reported that the Belgian contributed eight goals and 11 assists across 50 appearances last season.
Martinelli offered different qualities, particularly his pace, willingness to attack space and experience in major European matches.
Although he scored just once in the Premier League last season, Sky Sports highlighted his six goals across his first seven Champions League appearances.
Together, the two departures could generate approximately £67million.
Arsenal are also pursuing a sell-on clause as Martinelli’s negotiations with Al Hilal advance.
Sky Sports reports that the proposed clause would entitle Arsenal to 20 per cent of any future profit.
That would represent smart protection. It would not provide another winger for the coming season.
Christos Tzolis cannot cover every Arsenal problem
Tzolis has done everything possible to justify Arsenal’s confidence.
The Greece international provided two assists against Manchester City in the Community Shield and immediately impressed against Coventry.
Reuters reported that Tzolis registered 43 goals and 45 assists in 108 appearances for Club Brugge, illustrating the consistent attacking output that convinced Arsenal to invest £34million.
His starting place currently looks justified.
The concern is what happens when Arsenal need to rotate, protect him or respond to an injury.
Eberechi Eze replaced Tzolis against Coventry and can operate from the left. Noni Madueke also has experience there.
However, both already serve important purposes elsewhere.
Eze provides another creative option behind the striker, while Madueke offers cover and competition for Bukayo Saka on the opposite flank.
Moving either player left could simply transfer the shortage to another position.
Kenan Yildiz injury narrows Arsenal’s options
Arsenal had explored whether Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz could become another attacking option.
However, his recent foot injury has complicated that possibility, with surgery not ruled out.
Julian Alvarez remains another player admired by Arsenal, although he would not automatically replace the specialist width Martinelli provides.
That leaves sporting director Andrea Berta facing a straightforward challenge.
Selling Martinelli for approximately £50million could make considerable financial sense. Doing so without addressing the resulting gap would represent a different calculation entirely.
Arsenal will soon discover their European opponents, with Thursday’s Champions League draw adding another layer to an already demanding schedule.
Tzolis looks ready to start. Whether Arsenal can afford to leave him without specialist competition is less certain.
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