Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed surprise over Gabriel Jesus’ criticism of the club’s handling of his departure, insisting that he had personally discussed the Brazilian striker’s transfer before he left for Barcelona.
Jesus ended his four-year spell with Arsenal in September and has since revealed his disappointment with how the club handled his exit.
The former Manchester City forward said in an interview this week that he was unexpectedly separated from the squad during training and was not properly informed about what was happening before completing his move to Barcelona.
Responding to the comments, Arteta said he was surprised by Jesus’ account, explaining that they had spoken privately in the dressing room before the player left.
“Very surprised, to be fair. Especially because with Gabi (Jesus) I had an individual talk in the dressing room,” he told reporters on Friday.
“I don’t know what words were said, it’s fine. The words that we used were all about gratitude.”
Arteta has also faced criticism over the way Arsenal have handled the departures of some of their players.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright recently said he was “uncomfortable” with what he perceived as a lack of communication between the club and Gabriel Martinelli, who joined Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal on September 3.
However, Arteta pointed to Leandro Trossard’s recent return to Arsenal as an example of the relationship the club maintains with former players. Trossard, who was sold to Besiktas in July, was present in the dressing room after watching Arsenal’s victory over Chelsea last weekend.
“I don’t know, it’s OK. Sometimes I understand that when you have to deliver bad news, or news that people don’t expect, somebody has to be the bad cop. If I have to be, I have to be and I understand,” he said ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League trip to Sunderland on Saturday.
“What is important is normally what happens three months or six months later. When Trossard comes, he’s in the dressing room with all of us, the atmosphere and the relationship you have.
“Thank God so far that with all the players that left, at some point the relationship has been really good. I hope this is the same case.”
Source: AFP
