Gabriel Jesus’ Arsenal exit sparks a dispute after his claims clash with Mikel Arteta’s version of events.
Arsenal
Full name: Arsenal Football Club Nickname: The Gunners Founded: October 1886 Stadium: Emirates Stadium Owner: Kroenke Sports and Entertainment Co-chairmen: Stan Kroenke, Josh Kroenke Manager: Mikel Arteta League: Premier League Season 2025/26: Champions Website: arsenal.com Arsenal football club is one… Read More about ARSENAL
Gabriel Jesus’ Arsenal exit has taken an unexpected turn. The Brazilian forward has spoken about his final days in north London, and Mikel Arteta has now answered his claims, as per the latest news. Their two versions of the story do not quite match.
Gabriel Jesus claims he was pushed out
As reported by Football London, Jesus said he trained with Arsenal as normal during pre-season. He knew his playing time could be limited, but said nobody told him what was coming next. Then, he was suddenly asked to train away from the main group. The Brazilian said he kept working hard and stayed ready for a chance. His move to Barcelona then came quickly in the final week of the window. He said his agent and Barca president Deco helped make the deal happen.
The forward left after four years with the Gunners. He joined Barcelona on Deadline Day in a deal worth up to €14.5 million. The move ended his spell in north London after he joined from Manchester City in 2022. His exit also came after Arsenal changed their attack. With Viktor Gyokeres and other options ahead of him, Jesus had a harder path to regular football. The club then found a way to move him on before the window closed.
Gabriel Jesus’s stats for Arsenal in the 2025/26 season, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists
Premier League 14 3 0
EFL Cup 3 0 0
FA Cup 4 1 1
Champions League 6 2 0
Arteta gives a different view
Arteta said he was “very surprised” by Jesus’ comments. The manager said he had a private talk with the striker in the dressing room before the move. Arteta did not give the details of that talk. He said their words were about gratitude. He also accepted that managers sometimes have to deliver news that players do not want to hear.
The Arsenal boss used Leandro Trossard as an example. The Belgian, who left for Besiktas in July, returned to the dressing room after watching a game against Chelsea. Arteta said good ties with former players are what matter most in the end. The issue has also raised questions about how the Gunners deal with players who are close to leaving.
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Gabriel Jesus starts fresh in Barcelona
Jesus has now started a new chapter in Spain. His move came after four seasons in England and a late push to find a new club. The Brazilian joined the Catalan side after Arsenal agreed to let him leave. The move gives Jesus a chance to rebuild his form and earn a regular role. It also ends his fight for a place in an Arsenal attack.
For the Premier League side, the focus can now stay on the season ahead. Yet the comments from their former striker may keep the debate over player treatment alive. Arteta wants to leave the matter on good terms. Jesus, meanwhile, has been clear about how he felt. Neither side has offered the full picture, so the truth may sit somewhere between the two accounts.
Author’s Opinion
Gabriel Jesus and Mikel Arteta may simply remember the same events differently. Both sides have spoken, but neither story gives the full picture. Now that Jesus has moved to Barcelona, the best outcome is for both to move on without making the issue bigger.
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