Arsenal’s summer purge sees six exits, Martinelli thrives in Saudi
After winning the title, the Gunners began a small squad rejuvenation. Mikel Arteta then showed his ruthless streak by selling six members of the squad permanently. Gabriel Jesus was among those who left in the summer.
Martinelli shines at Al‑Hilal
Before Martinelli, Arsenal were low in record sales but his big‑money move to Saudi Arabia netted £55.7m. The Brazilian forward joined Al‑Hilal, linking up with Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Theo Hernandez and Ollie Watkins. Martinelli has scored six goals in six games for Al‑Hilal, including a 54‑minute hat‑trick. Al‑Hilal are currently top of the league and Martinelli is only 25 years old.
Trossard finds form in Turkey
Arsenal also let go of left‑winger Trossard. Trossard, aged 31, had justified the £27m fee paid for him in 2023. Arsenal recouped a large part of that fee when he moved to Besiktas for an initial £15.4m. The Belgian winger has started well in Turkey despite a few injuries.
He needed four games to score his first Super Lig goal, then assisted and scored in a 3‑0 win over Erzurumspor. A heel injury interrupted his rhythm, but he returned to score in a 2‑2 draw at Kasimpasa. Besiktas currently sit fourth in the Super Lig, a league becoming a retirement home for former Premier League stars.
Porto, Barcelona and other exits
Kiwior, after failing to break into Arsenal’s defence, transferred to Porto for £14.7m. He has played every minute of Porto’s Liga Portugal campaign so far. Under Francesco Farioli, Porto have won all ten league games they have played.
Kiwior has helped a defence that has conceded just four goals, the best in the division. Porto lead the Liga Portugal with a five‑point gap over second‑place Benfica. Gabriel Jesus moved from Arsenal’s bench to Barcelona.
He has started two of his seven La Liga appearances, performing well when on the pitch. Jesus has scored three goals and provided one assist in the league, deputising for Raphinha. Patrick Vieira’s long‑awaited departure from Arsenal was confirmed in the summer after two loan spells.
He joined Hamburg permanently, but the club sit 15th in the 18‑team Bundesliga. In 333 minutes for Hamburg, Vieira has yet to score or assist, falling short of the £8.6m fee. Brentford captain Norgaard, a former Arsenal signing, never featured regularly.
He made 20 appearances for Arsenal before leaving a year later. Everton and manager David Moyes signed him, but his impact remains limited. A groin injury kept him out of the first five Premier League games, and he has only played five minutes in a 2‑0 loss to Chelsea.
He also featured for just four minutes against Newcastle in the League Cup round of 16. The Danish defender is now fully fit, leaving his future playing time to David Moyes.