Mikel Arteta hits back at Gabriel Jesus over Arsenal exit | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta Responds to Gabriel Jesus Exit Comments as Arsenal Questions Grow

Arsenal have a habit of trying to keep internal business tidy. That becomes harder when a former player goes public, and Gabriel Jesus has done exactly that after sealing his £12.8 million move to Barcelona on Deadline Day.

The striker claimed he was pushed away from the first-team group during pre-season without being given a proper explanation. It is the sort of allegation that quickly raises questions about communication, especially at a club where squad management is under constant scrutiny.

Arteta answers Gabriel Jesus claims

Mikel Arteta did not dodge it. Ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Sunderland, he admitted he was taken aback by the remarks. “Very surprised, to be fair,” Arteta said of Jesus’ interview. He then made it clear that, from his side, there had been a direct conversation.

Photo: IMAGO

“Especially because with Gabi I had an individual talk in the dressing room. I don’t know what the words [by Jesus in public] were said, it’s fine.

“The words that we used for each other, it was all about gratitude.

“It’s ok, I understand. Sometimes when you have to deliver bad news or news that people don’t expect, those things are reactive.

“Somebody has to be the bad cop. If I have to be, I have to be. I understand.”

That is blunt and straightforward. A manager makes decisions, some players do not like them, and fallout follows. Still, if Jesus felt isolated, Arsenal’s messaging clearly did not land the way the club expected.

Barcelona move gives Jesus fresh platform

Jesus has already started well in Spain. He scored in Barcelona’s 5-1 Champions League win over Feyenoord, getting on the end of a Lamine Yamal cross with a deft header. That will only sharpen attention on how Arsenal handled his departure.

His own version of events was direct. “The truth is, I was training, I did the entire pre-season normally with Arsenal,” Jesus said. “I already knew that, probably, I wouldn’t play as much or wouldn’t have as many opportunities. But nobody told me anything.

“I’m a professional. Obviously I was training with the group and out of nowhere they put me to train apart from the group.”

If that is how he experienced it, then the issue is not the decision itself. Clubs move players on all the time. The issue is whether the player was told clearly, early and properly.

Arsenal dressing room relationships remain under spotlight

This is not the first time Arsenal’s handling of departures has drawn attention. Gabriel Martinelli’s situation was questioned recently, and Leandro Trossard’s summer exit also fed the wider discussion. Trossard was back at the Emirates last weekend for the 2-1 win over Chelsea and later saw former team-mates in the dressing room.

Arteta pointed to that as the real measure. “What’s important is what happens three months later, six months later,” Arteta said. “When Trossard comes into the dressing room with all of us, the atmosphere and the relationships you have.

“Thank God so far, with all the players that have left, at some point the relationship has been really good. I hope that’s the same case.”

That is fair enough. Time usually cools these stories. For now, though, Arsenal, Mikel Arteta and Gabriel Jesus have all been dragged into a conversation the club would rather have avoided.