Mikel Arteta fires back at Gabriel Jesus over Arsenal treatment claims

Mikel Arteta has hit back at Gabriel Jesus over the comment he made regarding his summer departure from Arsenal.

Jesus joined Barcelona on Deadline Day in a £12.8million transfer, after the Gunners made it clear that he was not part of Arteta’s plans for this season.

In an interview given in Spain earlier this week, Jesus said that he was made to train away from the first team at Arsenal without any explanation from the club.

“The truth is, I was training, I did the entire pre-season normally with Arsenal,” Jesus said.

“I already knew that, probably, I wouldn’t play as much or wouldn’t have as many opportunities. But nobody told me anything.

“I’m a professional. Obviously I was training with the group and out of nowhere they put me to train apart from the group.”

Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring for Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The former Manchester City forward comment came after Ian Wright criticised the club last month for their treatment of Gabriel Martinelli, claiming the Brazilian had been disrespected and left in the dark over his future after being omitted from two matchday squads.

“Very surprised, to be fair,” Arteta said of Jesus’ interview in his pre-match press conference held before Saturday night’s Premier League trip to Sunderland.

“Especially because with Gabi I had an individual talk in the dressing room. I don’t know what the words [by Jesus in public] were said, it’s fine.

“It’s ok, I understand. Sometimes 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. I understand.”

Jesus has settled in at Barcelona, scoring in the Spanish giants’ 5-1 win over Feyenoord in the Champions League in midweek.

Leandro Trossard also left Arsenal over the summer and he was at the Emirates Stadium last weekend to watch the 2-1 win over Chelsea from the stands.

The Belgian then went into the dressing room after the match to see his former team-mates and Arteta hopes that the likes of Martinelli and Jesus will do similar in future.

“What’s important is what happens three months later, six months later,” Arteta said.

“When Trossard comes into the dressing room with all of us, the atmosphere and the relationships you have.

“Thank God so far, with all the players that have left, at some point the relationship has been really good. I hope that’s the same case.”