Mikel Arteta has expressed complete astonishment following Gabriel Jesus’s outspoken comments regarding his September departure from Arsenal to Barcelona. The Brazilian forward brought his four-year tenure in North London to an end earlier this month, but his exit has been marred by sharp criticism over how the transfer was managed behind closed doors. Jesus claimed he was unexpectedly isolated from first-team activities in the days leading up to his move, alleging that the club provided him with no communication before his transfer to Spain was finalized.
The former Manchester City attacker did not hold back when reflecting on his final days at the Emirates Stadium, revealing that he was suddenly forced to train apart from the main squad without any explanation. Jesus stated that out of nowhere he was put to train away from the group and that nobody told him anything before he signed for Barcelona. Arteta, however, firmly disputed that account when addressing the situation, insisting that clear communication took place between both parties and maintaining that he held a private conversation with the striker inside the dressing room prior to the deal.
Addressing the friction directly, Arteta expressed genuine disbelief at the striker’s remarks, emphasizing that their final exchange was direct and respectful. “Very surprised, to be fair,” Arteta said. “Especially because with Gabi I had an individual talk in the dressing room.” The Gunners boss reiterated that the club holds immense gratitude for Jesus and his contributions across his four years in London, emphasizing that he believed both sides had parted on positive terms following their face-to-face discussion.
The fallout from Jesus’s exit has inevitably resonated across the Arsenal dressing room, where key squad members including Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Martinelli have also taken notice of the Brazilian’s accusations following his high-profile move to Barcelona. Both players, who shared the pitch with Jesus during his four-year spell at the club, have seen the narrative unfold as their former teammate begins his new chapter in La Liga. While Jesus adapts to life in Spain, Arsenal are focused on putting the disagreement behind them and maintaining momentum in their domestic and European campaigns.
The departure marks a dramatic conclusion to Jesus’s four seasons in North London, where he established himself as a central figure before making his move to Catalonia. While the forward maintains he was left isolated and uninformed in his final days at the club, Arteta’s stance remains clear: the conversation took place, gratitude for his service remains intact, and the transition was discussed directly. As Jesus settles into his new environment at Barcelona, the contrasting accounts of his final days highlight the intense emotion surrounding major transfer moves.
