Arsenal’s summer transfer window ended with a dramatic reshaping of their attacking options as Gabriel Martinelli agreed to join Al Hilal for a club-record £55.7 million, while fellow Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus moved closer to a transfer to Barcelona before subsequently completing his switch to the Spanish giants.
The double departure represented one of the most significant changes to Mikel Arteta’s squad during the summer window. Martinelli had been an important part of Arsenal’s rise under the Spanish manager, while Jesus arrived from Manchester City in 2022 with a reputation as a proven Premier League forward capable of operating in several attacking positions.
Yet football squads rarely remain static.
Arsenal entered the summer determined to strengthen their team after another demanding campaign, and the club ultimately decided that changes were required in attack. The arrivals of Viktor Gyökeres and Christos Tzolis altered the competition for places, while the emergence of younger players also affected the pathway for established forwards.
Martinelli’s departure to Al Hilal became particularly notable because the reported £55.7m fee made it the biggest transfer sale in Arsenal’s history, surpassing the previous benchmark set by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move to Liverpool.
Jesus’ departure followed a different path.
Barcelona initially agreed a deal in principle worth approximately £8.6m for the Brazilian striker, with the transfer progressing rapidly before being completed on deadline day. He signed a contract running until June 2029.
Together, the departures marked the end of an era for two Brazilians who had played important roles in Arsenal’s recent development.
Martinelli’s Arsenal Journey Comes to an End
Gabriel Martinelli arrived at Arsenal as a relatively unknown young forward but quickly developed into one of the most exciting attackers at the Emirates Stadium.
His speed, direct running and willingness to attack defenders made him an important component of Arteta’s attacking system.
Martinelli was particularly effective when Arsenal transitioned quickly.
The Brazilian could receive possession near the touchline, accelerate into open space and drive toward the penalty area. His ability to attack defenders one-on-one frequently forced opposition teams to adjust their defensive shape.
Over time, however, competition for attacking positions increased.
Arsenal’s squad became deeper, and the manager had more options across the front line.
Martinelli’s opportunities became less consistent, particularly in the Premier League.
According to reports surrounding his transfer, the winger scored only once in the Premier League during the campaign, although he produced a considerably stronger return in Europe, where he scored six times in the Champions League.
That contrast underlined one of the questions surrounding his final period at Arsenal.
There was still an elite attacking player inside Martinelli, but Arsenal increasingly demanded reliability and productivity from every position.
The arrival of Tzolis added another option on the left side, while Eberechi Eze also offered the ability to operate in that area.
As Arsenal continued to strengthen, Martinelli’s long-term position within the squad became less certain.
Al Hilal Make a Record Offer
Al Hilal’s interest changed the situation dramatically. The Saudi Pro League club reached an agreement with Arsenal for a fee of £55.7m, giving Martinelli an opportunity to begin a new chapter in his career.
The transfer was especially significant for Arsenal because it represented the highest fee the club had ever received for a player.
The previous record had been associated with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s 2017 move to Liverpool.
Martinelli’s deal surpassed that figure.
For Arsenal, the financial element of the transfer was therefore impossible to ignore.
The club had invested heavily in recent transfer windows, and substantial outgoing fees could help maintain financial flexibility while allowing the squad to evolve.
Martinelli was also still at an age where his market value remained significant.
Instead of allowing an increasingly peripheral player to remain on the books, Arsenal were able to secure a major return.
Sky Sports reported that Martinelli had been granted permission to undergo a medical ahead of his move to Al Hilal, with the Saudi club agreeing the £55.7m fee.
The move represented another example of the growing financial power of the Saudi Pro League.
Clubs such as Al Hilal have demonstrated that they can compete with Europe’s leading teams for established talent by offering significant transfer fees and attractive contracts.
For Martinelli, the proposal was sufficiently compelling to take him away from the Premier League.
Why Arsenal Were Prepared to Sell
Selling Martinelli was not necessarily an indication that Arsenal had lost faith in the player.
Instead, it reflected the changing structure of Arteta’s squad.
Arsenal had spent several seasons building depth and increasing competition throughout the team.
The objective was no longer simply to have talented players.
Arteta needed players capable of contributing consistently across multiple competitions.
Martinelli’s situation became complicated by the competition for places.
Bukayo Saka remained Arsenal’s first-choice option on the right.
The left side could be occupied by several players, while central attacking roles offered further competition.
The arrival of Tzolis added another specialist option.
Eze could also play from the left or move centrally.
Meanwhile, Arsenal were exploring other attacking reinforcements during the summer, including interest in elite forwards.
The Guardian reported that Arsenal had attempted to strengthen their attack after agreeing the departures of Martinelli, Jesus and Fábio Vieira, while the club also pursued major targets such as Julián Álvarez.
That context explains why Martinelli became expendable.
The club was not simply selling a player.
It was restructuring an attacking department.
Gabriel Jesus Takes a Different Route
Gabriel Jesus’ Arsenal departure was considerably different from Martinelli’s.
The Brazilian arrived from Manchester City in 2022 for approximately £45m and was expected to become one of the central figures in Arteta’s attack.
His versatility was one of his greatest strengths.
Jesus could operate as a central striker, drift toward the left or contribute from deeper positions.
He also brought Premier League experience and a winning mentality developed during his time at Manchester City.
At Arsenal, however, injuries significantly disrupted his progress.
A serious knee injury suffered in January 2025 ruled him out for a prolonged period, limiting his availability during an important stage of his Arsenal career.
When he returned, the competitive landscape had changed.
Other attackers had established themselves, while Arsenal invested in additional firepower.
During his final season, Jesus made only three Premier League starts.
His overall Arsenal record stood at 32 goals in 123 appearances.
Those numbers do not fully capture his contribution.
Jesus often provided assists, movement and pressing rather than simply acting as a conventional goalscorer.
But for a club competing at the highest level, availability and consistent goal production remain critical.
The decision to move on eventually became understandable for both sides.
Barcelona Offer Jesus a New Challenge
Barcelona emerged as the destination for Jesus.
The Catalan club initially reached an agreement in principle with Arsenal for a deal worth approximately £8.6m.
The transfer was completed on deadline day, with Jesus signing a contract until 2029.
The move offers Jesus an opportunity to restart his career in a different environment.
Barcelona had been searching for attacking reinforcements and eventually turned to the Brazilian after encountering difficulties in their pursuit of Julián Álvarez.
Jesus’ versatility appealed to the Spanish club.
He can play centrally, operate from the left or contribute as part of a fluid attacking system.
That flexibility could be particularly useful in Barcelona’s squad.
The transfer also gives Jesus the opportunity to play regularly again after a difficult period at Arsenal.
At 29, he still has significant years ahead of him.
A healthy and confident Jesus could become a valuable addition to Barcelona.
The Brazilian Connection at Arsenal Ends
For several years, Martinelli and Jesus represented an important Brazilian presence within the Arsenal dressing room.
Their connection extended beyond football.
Both players understood the demands of Brazilian football and the expectations surrounding players representing the national team.
They also helped create a multicultural environment at Arsenal alongside players from across Europe, Africa and South America.
Their simultaneous departures therefore represent a notable change.
Arsenal’s squad will continue to contain international stars, but the attacking group now has a different profile.
The club’s recruitment strategy increasingly appears focused on younger players who can develop within Arteta’s system while also providing immediate quality.
The departure of experienced players can create opportunities for emerging talents.
That could be particularly important for Arsenal’s younger attackers.
Arteta’s Attack Enters a New Phase
The biggest question following the departures is simple:
Who replaces them?
Arsenal had already signed attacking reinforcements, with Christos Tzolis arriving from Club Brugge.
The club also completed the major signing of Viktor Gyökeres, giving Arteta a powerful central striker.
Eberechi Eze provides additional versatility.
Bukayo Saka remains one of the most important players in the squad.
Kai Havertz can operate in several attacking roles.
Together, those players provide Arteta with different tactical options.
But depth remains important.
Arsenal are competing in the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cup competitions.
The demands of a full season are enormous.
Injuries can quickly expose weaknesses in a squad.
That makes the decision not to replace every outgoing player directly particularly intriguing.
Arsenal’s Transfer Strategy Comes Under Scrutiny
The departures also occurred against the backdrop of a summer transfer window that generated considerable debate among Arsenal supporters.
The club strengthened significantly in midfield and defence.
Bruno Guimarães arrived from Newcastle, while Ezri Konsa joined from Aston Villa and Piero Hincapié was brought in from Bayer Leverkusen.
The additions demonstrated that Arsenal wanted to improve their squad.
However, the attacking department became a source of concern.
The Guardian reported that Arsenal missed out on several major attacking targets, including Vinícius Júnior and Morgan Rogers, while also facing difficulties in their pursuit of Álvarez.
The result was a curious situation.
Arsenal generated significant income from player sales but still ended the window with questions about attacking depth.
For Arteta, the challenge is now to make the existing group sufficient.
Martinelli’s Record Sale Has Two Sides
From a financial perspective, Martinelli’s sale is an obvious success.
A £55.7m fee represents a major return for a player who joined Arsenal from Ituano as a teenager.
It demonstrates how much his value increased during his time in north London.
But transfer fees are not the only measure of success.
Arsenal are losing a player with Premier League experience and exceptional pace.
Martinelli’s ability to stretch defences was unique.
When Arsenal needed to change the rhythm of a game, his speed could provide an immediate solution.
He could also create space for teammates simply by threatening to run behind the defensive line.
Replacing those qualities is not straightforward.
Tzolis may provide some similar attributes, but every player has a different profile.
Arsenal will therefore need to adapt rather than simply replicate Martinelli.
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