Martinelli started Arsenal‘s opening two games of the 2025-26 campaign, but has failed to make an XI since. He has still been able to make important contributions in Champions League and Premier League competition.
The 24-year-old winger netted in a European clash with Athletic Club, before grabbing a stoppage-time equaliser in a heavyweight domestic showdown with Manchester City at Emirates Stadium.
Martinelli was linked with a move elsewhere over the summer, only to end up staying put, and Adebayor believes the South American will want to play a more prominent role for Arsenal – despite seeing the likes of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze drafted in to provide added creativity in the attacking department.
Former Gunners striker Adebayor told Premier League Productions of Martinelli potentially causing problems for Arteta: “I think that’s where man management becomes very important because you have to be talking to all these players to keep them happy all the time even knowing that they’re on the bench.
“When I was on the bench at Arsenal, I knew that I had Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robin van Persie in front of me, but it was not easy because every weekend I’m in his [Wenger’s] office telling him ‘I’m here to play, I have to play’.
“This is when you need a manager that can calm the situation down. We have never seen Arteta go through those moments, and I think this is the right year for him to go through this.
“‘Manager, I want to play. Gaffer, listen I’m not here to sit on the bench. You didn’t buy me to be on the bench. I’m here to play because I want to win Ballon d’Or. I want to be the top goal scorer. I want to be the best player in the league’.
“We all have our individual things in our mind whether you like it or not. But at the end of the day, we put into the collective. We have to think of what I can do, what I’m going to bring into the team. If you’re on the bench, it’s hard.
“Martinelli, I think in a couple of weeks we will lose him because if he stays on the bench after this game the head will start going, then the body will follow, then he will spoil the whole training ground.”
Martinelli is far from happy at playing a support role for the Gunners, but told Match of the Day after helping to snatch a point from City: “I work for those moments. I leave [selection] for the gaffer, he knows what he does. I just do my best to help this football club.
“Of course, I don’t want to be on the bench. I want to play 90 minutes every single game but Arteta knows what he does, he’s the gaffer and everyone trusts him. We’re really happy with him.”
Martinelli is tied to a contract at Arsenal through to 2027, with those terms including the option for a further 12-month extension. He has taken in 230 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 53 goals.
