Arteta hits back against Gabriel Jesus claim on his Arsenal exit

Mikel Arteta has pushed back against suggestions from Gabriel Jesus that no one talked to him prior to his exit from Arsenal to join Barcelona.

Speaking following his summer transfer from Arsenal to FC Barcelona, Gabriel Jesus suggested he wasn’t given an explanation before being sidelined by the Gunners during pre-season.

“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.

“Then obviously in the last week, it was very quick. The work of [Barcelona sporting director] Deco with the president and the club, and my agent was amazing. I had the opportunity to come (to Barcelona), and obviously I say yes!”

But Mikel Arteta has denied that no one spoke to Jesus, insisting he himself had a conversation with the striker in the dressing room.

“Very surprised (by Jesus’ comments), to be fair especially because with Gabriel I had an individual talk in the dressing room,” Arteta insisted. “I don’t know what the words were said (by Jesus), it’s fine.

“The words that we used for each other, it was all about gratitude. So, I don’t know, it’s okay. Sometimes I understand when you have to deliver bad news or news that people don’t expect. Those things are reactive.

“Somebody has to be the bad cop, if I have to be. I have to be. And I understand.

“What is important is normally what happens three months later, six months later, when Trossard comes in, he’s in the dressing room with all of us, the atmosphere and the relation you have and thanks God so far, with all the players that they left, at some point their relationship has been really good.”

Whatever the truth of the matter is, the two parties are both moving on in a positive manner so far.

Arsenal have won five games from five this season, including wins over Manchester City and Chelsea and an away win against Napoli, whilst Jesus has made a goalscoring start to life in Barcelona.

The striker made his debut in a brief substitute appearance against Valencia at the weekend, before scoring in his second sub showing against Feyenoord on Wednesday.

Barcelona were already 4-1 up at the time, but Jesus added to their goal difference with a guided header into the corner.

As long as things continue to go well for Arsenal and Jesus himself, it’s unlikely there will be any long-term animosity between the two.

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