Mikel Arteta Confirms Imminent Arsenal Striker Exits North London 2026

Key Points

• Arteta Confirms Sales: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are available for transfer before the window closes later this month.
• Martinelli Transfer: Arsenal are reportedly close to completing a record sale of Gabriel Martinelli to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal for around £50m plus add-ons.
• Jesus Situation: Gabriel Jesus has not been part of Arsenal’s squad for the past 12 months, having been frozen out by the club and training away from the first team.
• Transfer Challenges: A deal for Jesus faces significant obstacles, with Napoli interested but valuing him at around £20m while also demanding high wages.
• Further Departures: Arsenal are looking to reduce their squad size and are open to more departures, including Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira.

Arsenal (North London News) August 29, 2026 — Mikel Arteta has delivered a candid update on Arsenal’s impending squad changes, indicating that striker Gabriel Jesus could follow fellow Brazilian international Gabriel Martinelli through the exit door before the summer transfer window closes. Speaking at London Colney, the Gunners manager revealed that difficult individual conversations have taken place as the club works to manage bloated squad numbers and resolve multiple personal situations.

Will Gabriel Martinelli complete a record-breaking transfer to Al-Hilal?

As reported by Felix Keith of The Mirror, Gabriel Martinelli is nearing a sensational departure from North London as negotiations with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal reach their final stages. The 25-year-old forward left Arsenal training early on Thursday after a verbal package exceeding €65 million (approximately £50 million plus £5 million to £6 million in performance-related add-ons) was agreed between the two clubs.

Should the transaction be formally completed, it will break Arsenal’s long-standing club record for a player sale, surpassing the £35 million received from Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017.

Addressing the imminent departure of the Brazilian winger, manager Mikel Arteta stated:

“I think everybody knows and recognises how much we love Gabi. Whatever the outcome is, it will be because everybody agrees to that”.

Why has Gabriel Jesus been frozen out of Arsenal training?

As reported by Daniel Orme of The Mirror, Gabriel Jesus was entirely absent from first-team group training on Thursday, having fallen down the pecking order following an injury-disrupted spell in North London. The 29-year-old forward has entered the final 12 months of his contract and faces an increasingly uncertain future at the Emirates Stadium.

When questioned about Jesus being omitted from group sessions, Mikel Arteta explained:

“It’s something to do with the numbers that we have in the squad at the moment and the way we’re managing that kind of situation individually with all the players — they have some personal situations”.

Italian side Napoli had previously explored a potential deal for Jesus, but Arsenal’s £20 million price tag alongside the forward’s substantial wage expectations have stood as significant hurdles.

In addition to Jesus and Martinelli, Arsenal remain open to offers for fringe players including Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira, with the latter attracting interest from German outfit Hamburg following a loan spell last season.

Is Mikel Arteta planning to replace departing forwards with Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez?

As reported by Tom Gott of Goal, Arsenal have been heavily linked with a late move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez to bolster their attacking department. The Argentine international has reportedly been involved in a stand-off in the Spanish capital.

When asked directly about Arsenal’s reported pursuit of Alvarez, Arteta refused to engage in speculation: “Don’t go there,” Arteta said.

“I’m not going to make any comment about any player that is not with us”.

Despite the manager’s refusal to comment on external targets, new arrivals Ezri Konsa — who joined for £51 million from Aston Villa — and Bruno Guimaraes are both inline to feature in upcoming fixtures.

Background of the particular development

Arsenal’s current transfer activity marks a pivotal shift in the club’s financial and squad construction strategy under Mikel Arteta and the club executive team. For nearly a decade, the North London outfit faced criticism for an inability to generate high-value player sales compared to rival Premier League clubs. Since the £35 million departure of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017, Arsenal had struggled to command premier fees for outgoing talent.

Gabriel Martinelli initially joined Arsenal in July 2019 from Brazilian lower-league side Ituano for a modest fee of approximately £6 million. During his seven-year stay in North London, he developed into a core component of Arteta’s attacking line. However, tactical adjustments, tactical rotation, and recent squad additions have led to reduced starting opportunities.

Similarly, Gabriel Jesus arrived from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 in a transaction worth £45 million. While his initial arrival elevated Arsenal’s pressing style and tactical flexibility, recurring knee injuries hindered his momentum over subsequent seasons. With Kai Havertz and new summer arrivals taking precedence in attack, Jesus has seen his game time restricted, prompting the club to facilitate a potential exit before his contract expires.

Prediction: How this development can affect Arsenal supporters and team dynamics

The departure of high-profile attacking figures such as Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus will have a direct impact on both Arsenal supporters and the immediate operational structure of the squad.

• Impact on Supporters: For the fan base, Martinelli’s departure represents the end of an era for a player who grew from a prospect into a fan favorite. While some supporters may feel sentimental frustration at losing a top-tier winger, the record-breaking £50 million-plus sale provides financial reassurance regarding the club’s sustainability and compliance with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
• Impact on Team Squad Depth: Releasing two senior international forwards late in the transfer window places immense pressure on Arsenal’s recruitment team. If the Gunners fail to secure a high-profile replacement before the deadline, the attacking workload will fall heavily on existing starters, leaving little depth for domestic and European competitions. Conversely, if these sales successfully finance a high-calibre signing like Julian Alvarez, it could recalibrate Arsenal’s tactical ceiling for the remainder of the campaign.