Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has responded to Gabriel Jesus' claims that he was mistreated during his final weeks at the club, saying he held an individual conversation with the Brazilian before his departure. Jesus, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City for £45 million in 2022, completed a permanent move to Barcelona this summer.
In a recent interview, the Brazil international said he was ordered to train away from the first-team squad before his exit and was not informed about his situation. 'I did all the pre-season with Arsenal [normally],' Jesus said. 'Obviously I knew already that probably I would not play there or get some opportunity, but no one told me anything. I was training with the group, and then, from nothing, they put me to train apart from the group.'
Arteta responds to Jesus' claims
Speaking in a press conference on Friday, Arteta was asked about Jesus' comments and expressed surprise at the forward's account. 'Very surprised, to be fair, especially because with Gabi [Jesus] I had an individual talk in the dressing room. I don't know what words were said, it is fine,' Arteta told reporters. 'The words we used for each other, it was all about gratitude. I don't know, it is okay. Sometimes I understand when you have to deliver bad news or news that people don't expect, those things [you can] react [to].'
Arteta acknowledged that someone has to deliver difficult messages to players, admitting he is willing to take on that role. 'Somebody has to be the bad cop. If I have to be, I have to be and I understand,' he said.
Wright questions Martinelli treatment
The exchange comes after Arsenal legend Ian Wright questioned the club's treatment of Gabriel Martinelli, who was sold to Al-Hilal this month. Martinelli, who joined Arsenal as an 18-year-old seven years ago, was left out of matchday squads while his future was being resolved. 'It really makes me feel uncomfortable,' Wright said. 'I think he's done enough with this team, with this squad, to be treated with a little bit more respect than he's being treated at the moment.'
Arteta pointed to the example of Leandro Trossard, who returned to the club last weekend to watch Arsenal's victory over Chelsea, two months after leaving to join Besiktas. 'What is important is normally what happens three months later, six months later, when Trossard comes in, he is the dressing room with us, the atmosphere and the relationship you have,' Arteta said. 'Things got so far with other players that they left, at some point the relationship has been really good. I hope that is the same case.'
Arteta hopes for future reconciliation
Arteta's comments suggest he hopes to maintain positive relationships with players after their departures, citing Trossard's return as evidence of that approach. The Arsenal manager's response indicates he believes the conversations he had with Jesus were sufficient, despite the player's public criticism.
The situation highlights the challenges managers face when managing player exits, particularly when high-profile players feel their treatment was unfair. Arteta's emphasis on gratitude in his conversation with Jesus contrasts with the forward's account, leaving the matter unresolved publicly.
