Emmanuel Adebayor Warns Arteta Benching Star Could Damage Team Harmony

Emmanuel Adebayor warns Mikel Arteta that benching Gabriel Martinelli could damage Arsenal’s team spirit and create unrest in the squad.

Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor warns Mikel Arteta that consistently benching Gabriel Martinelli could harm Arsenal’s team harmony and spirit. Adebayor believes the Brazilian winger’s growing frustration could spill over into the dressing room if his game time does not improve.

Adebayor’s comments followed Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City, where Martinelli came off the bench to score a dramatic late equaliser. Despite his impact, the 23-year-old has started only two of Arsenal’s opening six Premier League games this season. Fans and pundits alike have questioned why Arteta continues to prefer alternatives such as Leandro Trossard, Eberechi Eze, or Noni Madueke.

Speaking on Premier League Productions, Adebayor compared Martinelli’s situation to his own during his time at Arsenal, when he had to compete with Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp. He recalled how difficult it was to stay motivated when not starting regularly.

“Martinelli, I think in a couple of weeks Arsenal will lose him because if he stays on the bench after this game against Man City, the head will start going, then the body will follow, then he will spoil the whole training ground,” Adebayor warned.

The Martinelli Dilemma

Martinelli has been in outstanding form. Alongside his equaliser against City, he registered a goal and an assist against Athletic Club earlier this month. His consistency and ability to change games from the bench have sparked debate over why he is not a guaranteed starter.

Despite his frustrations, Martinelli has remained professional. After the City draw, he admitted he wanted more minutes but expressed faith in his manager:

“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.”

Arteta’s Balancing Act

Mikel Arteta now faces the challenge of managing Arsenal’s depth without unsettling key players. Adebayor’s warning highlights the importance of man-management in elite football, where even small frustrations can affect squad cohesion.

With upcoming matches against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup and Newcastle United in the Premier League, Arteta’s team selections will be closely watched. The decision to start or bench Martinelli could define Arsenal’s attacking rhythm and locker-room balance in the coming weeks.

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