Right now the 18-year-old is undroppable because, without him, Arsenal would be desperately short on pace, cutting edge and goals.
And in a season of lows, the burgeoning partnership between him and Bukayo Saka is a beacon of hope for Arteta. Saka is even younger and less experienced than Martinelli but his rate of development has exceeded all expectations.
He has been thrown into a team in crisis but in spite of his slight frame, he has always stood strong and proved himself to be a talent not just for the future but the present.
Arteta has a reputation for making players better and it can only be positive that Saka is embracing the Spaniard’s methods.
“He’s someone who understands the players, understands the club and all the ideas that he’s bringing in,” he said.
“He has a clear strategy of how he wants us to play and we’re just really excited to work with him.