Gabriel Jesus reveals Arsenal training snub before Barca exit
Barcelona/X.com
The Brazilian was omitted from Arsenal's squad for their opening two matches of the season, with a move away from the Emirates widely expected before he completed a £8.6 million deadline-day switch to Barcelona, ending a four-year spell in north London.
Speaking to SportyTV, Jesus said the decision to train away from the group had come suddenly and without any real explanation.
"The truth is I was training, I did all the pre-season training with Arsenal normal and then obviously I knew already that probably I will not play there or get some opportunity," he said.
"But no-one told me nothing. I'm a professional you know and then obviously I was training with the group and then from nothing they put me to train away from the group."
Jesus said he continued to prepare as though a chance might still come, even after being frozen out.
"I was training and doing my maximum to be ready if I have the chance to play in a high level again and then obviously in the last week it was very quick," he said.
He credited the swift resolution to those working on his behalf once Barcelona's interest firmed up.
"The work with Deco, and the president of the club, and my agent was amazing. In one day, it was sure that I would have the opportunity to come. I said yes, straight away, no matter what and I am so happy to be here."
Jesus scored 32 goals in 123 appearances during his time at Arsenal after joining from Manchester City for £45 million in 2022, though persistent injury problems limited his impact in his final two seasons at the club, including an ACL injury that ruled him out for most of last season before a late return contributed to Arsenal's title-winning campaign.
He now joins a Barcelona squad managed by Hansi Flick, whose demand for intense pressing from his forwards could suit the Brazilian's attributes better than the more central role he was often asked to play in England, with the low fee also giving Barcelona low-risk cover in attack as they continue to weigh up more ambitious targets elsewhere in the market.
The move brings to an end a spell in which Jesus arrived at Arsenal with high expectations, reuniting with Mikel Arteta from their time together at Manchester City, but never quite established himself as the club's first-choice central striker.
Arsenal's decision to sign Viktor Gyökeres last year further reduced his path to regular minutes, and with his contract entering its final year, both parties appeared ready to move on well before deadline day made it official.