Mikel Arteta has responded to criticism from former Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus about his treatment before leaving the club. The manager said he was taken aback by the player's claims that he was made to train away from the squad without explanation ahead of his move to Barcelona on 1 September.
Arteta addressed the issue directly in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's Premier League game against Sunderland. "Very surprised, to be fair," Arteta said. "Especially because with Gabi (Jesus) I had an individual talk in the dressing room." The manager did not elaborate on the specifics of that conversation but indicated it centred on themes of gratitude and the club's journey over the past four years.
Jesus, who spent four years at the Emirates Stadium, suggested in recent comments that his final days at the club were handled poorly. He alleged he was separated from the main group during training sessions without being given a reason, a situation he found confusing as his transfer to the Spanish giants was being finalised. Arteta's public rebuttal is his first direct comment on the matter since the player's departure.
The episode follows another high-profile exit this summer that raised questions about communication. Club legend Ian Wright previously admitted feeling "uncomfortable" with the perceived lack of clarity around Gabriel Martinelli's transfer to Al Hilal on 3 September. These incidents have placed a spotlight on how Arsenal manages player departures during a period of significant squad turnover.
Despite the off-field noise, results on the pitch have been impeccable. Arsenal sit second in the Premier League with nine points from three wins, scoring six goals and conceding just one. They are on a five-game winning run across all competitions, most recently securing a 1-0 Champions League victory away to Napoli on Wednesday, with Martin Odegaard scoring the decisive goal.
That win in Italy came after a disrupted travel schedule, with the squad's flight delayed for several hours on Tuesday due to UK air traffic control issues. Arteta revealed he had deliberately created challenging scenarios during pre-season to prepare the team for such eventualities. "I love those challenges," he said. "I tried to create them in pre-season, so when they happen we have already experienced them and we already know."
Looking ahead, defender Ben White is available for selection against Sunderland, while Jurrien Timber is nearing a return from injury. The club's current injuries list confirms William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera remain sidelined. After the weekend, attention turns to a trip to face Brighton, who are 10th, on 19 September. Fans can check the full upcoming schedule on the club's fixtures page.
Arteta will be hoping the positive momentum continues, with his team showing strong early-season form as detailed in the latest standings. The manager's immediate focus is on maintaining that performance level while managing the narrative around former players, a balancing act that becomes part of the job at a top club.
