Al-Hilal open talks to sign Martinelli as Arteta makes Arsenal exit clear

Arsenal legend doesn't agree with treatment

As per BBC Sport, Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal have communicated to Arsenal that they are willing to bid higher than the €45m (£38.54m) Galatasaray offered earlier in the summer transfer window.

Martinelli currently has 12 months remaining on his deal, having arrived from Brazilian side Ituano in 2019.

For the Gunners, he made 53 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals as Arteta's men won the Premier League title.

Yet he was left out of the squad entirely for Arsenal’s opening fixture of the 2026/27 Premier League season on Friday, in the 3-0 win over newly promoted Coventry.

Galatasaray’s earlier approach went nowhere because the winger would not consider a move to Istanbul, despite Arsenal receiving that €45m bid.

Meanwhile, Al-Hilal’s interest runs alongside a separate move for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who did not feature in Villa’s opening-weekend defeat by Brighton.

Ian Wright says the treatment of Martinelli ‘makes me feel uncomfortable’

Arsenal legend and former striker Ian Wright said that he doesn't like the treatment that Martinelli is receiving.

"The way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable", Wright said, speaking to Sky Sports.

"I know they might want him out, and a lot of people might say, ‘yeah, it’s time for him to move him on’. But there’s ways of doing that and it should suit him as well, how he wants to leave."

BBC Sport understands Arteta has made his position clear to Martinelli and explained why he was omitted.

With Al-Hilal willing to go beyond a figure Arsenal have already turned down once, the next move belongs to Riyadh.