Inzaghi says Arsenal winger Martinelli will soon feature for Al Hilal

Simone Inzaghi says Gabriel Martinelli is set to make his Al Hilal debut in the club’s upcoming matches, despite the Saudi Arabian side yet to formally announce the signing of the Arsenal winger.

Martinelli arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday to undergo a medical examination as Al Hilal continue to finalise the move. The club have not yet officially confirmed the transfer, but Inzaghi has indicated that the Brazil international will be involved with the team in the near future.

Asked when supporters could expect to see the new arrival play, Inzaghi said, according to comments reported by Asharq Al-Awsat: “When will we see the new signing Martinelli? We will see him playing in the upcoming matches.”

The Italian manager was also questioned about the prospects of Sultan Mandash following the expected arrival of Martinelli, particularly whether the Saudi winger would continue to receive regular opportunities.

“Certainly, Sultan Mandash is performing at a wonderful and excellent level,” Inzaghi said. “We have multiple commitments and matches ahead in the King’s Cup and the AFC Champions League, and he will have enough opportunities to play and prove himself.”

Al Hilal’s management have reached an agreement with Arsenal and Martinelli on all the terms of the proposed transfer. The player is expected to represent the club during the current summer transfer window, subject to the deal being completed and formally announced.

If the move is finalised, Martinelli will sign a contract with Al Hilal running until the summer of 2030. The Brazil international is set to earn about 20 million euros a year.

The anticipated transfer would bring an end to Martinelli’s time at Arsenal, where he has played since joining the club in January 2019 from Brazilian side Ituano. He gradually established himself within Arsenal’s first-team group before becoming one of the club’s most prominent attacking options in recent years.

Martinelli’s expected arrival will add another high-profile attacking player to Inzaghi’s squad. However, the manager’s comments suggest that the competition for places will not prevent Mandash from continuing to contribute, with Al Hilal facing fixtures in both domestic cup competition and continental football.

The club’s next step is the official confirmation of the agreement. Until that announcement is made, Martinelli remains an expected Al Hilal player rather than a formally registered member of the squad, although his medical in Riyadh and Inzaghi’s comments indicate that his debut could come soon.