Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is “very surprised” by comments from former player Gabriel Jesus about his move to Barcelona. Jesus, who left Arsenal in September after four seasons, says he was handled poorly during the transition and was told little about what to expect.
In the interview cited by multiple outlets, Jesus says that “out of nowhere” he was made to train separately from the rest of the group and that “nobody told me nothing” before he signed for Barcelona. Arteta responds that he had an individual conversation with Jesus in the dressing room and insists the discussions at the time focused on gratitude and that the parties parted on good terms.
One outlet also notes that Arteta faces broader scrutiny around communication with other players who departed, including former teammate Gabriel Martinelli. Arteta points to the way former players such as Leandro Trossard return to the club environment, suggesting relationships typically remain positive after exits. Across the reports, the central dispute is about how much notice and direct communication Jesus says he received before joining Barcelona.
