Arteta addresses Gabriel Jesus remarks after Arsenal exit

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta responded on September 11, 2026, to recent accusations made by Gabriel Jesus regarding his departure from London, expressing deep surprise after the Brazilian forward claimed he received no official explanation when club directors sidelined him from squad training sessions ahead of his transfer to Barcelona. The Spanish coach addressed the comments following Jesus’s move to Spain.

Arteta stated that the striker’s public reaction contradicted their private dressing-room talk. “I was very surprised, to be fair, especially because I had a one-on-one conversation with Gabriel in the dressing room,” Arteta said. “The words we exchanged were entirely about gratitude, so I do not know.” “Everything is fine.”

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Jesus previously explained that he took part in Arsenal pre-season preparations before staff suddenly ordered him to train away from teammates. The Brazilian striker stated that no representative provided reasons for the sudden isolation. He then finalized an agreement with Barcelona on deadline day.

Arteta acknowledged that harsh squad decisions inevitably spark frustration among footballers, emphasizing that taking responsibility for delivering unwelcome news remains an essential part of his managerial duties.

“Sometimes I understand that when you have to deliver bad news or an unexpected decision, it creates reactions,” Arteta said. “Somebody has to be the villain.” “If that has to be me, so be it, and I accept that.”

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The manager expressed hope of preserving a cordial relationship with Gabriel Jesus despite the tense exit. To illustrate his point, Arteta cited Leandro Trossard, who moved to Besiktas during the same transfer window and later returned to Emirates Stadium to watch an Arsenal match.

Arteta pointed out that tensions tend to cool over time. “The important thing is what happens three months later or six months later,” Arteta said. “Up to now, with all the players who left, the relationship was very good at some point.” “I hope it will be the same case.”

Gabriel Jesus concluded his spell with Arsenal after spending four seasons in North London. The forward registered 32 goals across 123 appearances for the English side prior to signing his contract with Barcelona.