LONDON — Mikel Arteta admits he is “very surprised” by Gabriel Jesus’ claim that he was forced to train alone at Arsenal and received no communication before his transfer to Barcelona.
Jesus joined the Spanish giants on September 1 after four years in north London and said in an interview with SportyTV this week that “out of nowhere they put me to train apart from the group”, adding that “nobody told me nothing”.
Arsenal boss Arteta used the presence of Leandro Trossard in the stands to watch last Sunday’s victory over Chelsea as an example of the club’s bond with their former players. Trossard was sold to Besiktas in July.
Arteta was also asked about Ian Wright’s recent comment that he was “uncomfortable” with what the Gunners great perceived to be a lack of dialogue with Gabriel Martinelli, who moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal on September 3.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s English Premier League clash with Sunderland, Arteta said: “Very surprised, to be fair.
“Especially because with Gabi (Jesus) I had an individual talk in the dressing room. I don’t know what words were said, it’s fine. The words that we used were all about gratitude.
“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,” Arteta added according to PA Media.
“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.”
