LONDON, ENGLAND — Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hit back at Gabriel Jesus after the former Arsenal striker claimed he was made to train alone before leaving the club for Barcelona, insisting he was “very surprised” by the criticism and that their parting words were about gratitude.
Jesus completed a move to Barcelona for a fee in the region of £8.5 million during the latter stages of the summer transfer window after falling behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres in Arteta’s pecking order. The Brazilian recently revealed that he was surprised by how Arsenal handled his situation after completing pre-season with the squad.
“I was training, I did all the pre-season with Arsenal as normal. Obviously, I knew already that probably I would not play there or get many opportunities, but nobody told me nothing,” Jesus said. “Then, from nothing, they put me to train away from the group.” Jesus eventually secured a move to Barcelona after discussions involving his agent and the club’s sporting director Deco.
However, Arteta has now responded to the striker’s comments, insisting he was surprised by the criticism and that he had held an individual conversation with Jesus in the dressing room. “Very surprised, to be fair, especially because with Gabriel I had an individual talk in the dressing room,” Arteta said. “I don’t know what the words were said, it’s fine. And the words that we used for each other, it was all about gratitude.”
The Arsenal boss acknowledged that managers sometimes have to deliver difficult news to players when their situation at a club changes. “Sometimes I understand when you have to deliver bad news or news that people don’t expect,” he added. “Those things are reactive. Somebody has to be there to back up, if I have to be. I have to be. And I understand.”
Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 and scored 19 goals in 73 appearances across all competitions, winning the FA Community Shield and the League Cup during his time in north London. His departure was part of a significant summer overhaul at the Emirates, which also saw Gabriel Martinelli join Al-Hilal for £60 million, while Leandro Trossard, Christian Norgaard, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson were also moved on.
Arteta’s response reflects the delicate balance managers must strike when handling player departures, particularly when those players feel they were treated unfairly. The Arsenal boss has consistently emphasised the importance of maintaining positive relationships with departing players, and his decision to publicly address Jesus’s claims suggests he is keen to set the record straight.
Barcelona have welcomed Jesus to the Camp Nou, with sporting director Deco describing him as “a proven goalscorer with a winning mentality.” The Brazilian is expected to compete for a starting spot alongside Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in Barcelona’s attacking lineup.
For Arsenal, the focus remains on the current campaign, with the Gunners having made a strong start to the season. Arteta’s squad depth has been tested by the summer departures, but the arrivals of Gyökeres and other reinforcements have ensured the club remains competitive on multiple fronts. As for Jesus, the striker will be eager to prove his worth at Barcelona and put the disappointment of his Arsenal exit behind him.
