Mikel Arteta Defends Arsenal's Handling of Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli Departures
Mikel Arteta has pushed back hard against claims that Arsenal mishandled the departures of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, insisting the club dealt with both Brazilians openly and respectfully.
The Arsenal manager found himself under scrutiny after Jesus, now at Barcelona following a £12.5m move, revealed he was told to train away from the senior squad and complained that "nobody told me anything" in the build-up to his exit.
Those comments poured fuel on an already simmering debate. Ian Wright had recently criticised Arsenal’s treatment of Martinelli, who was frozen out of early-season matchday squads before sealing a £60m switch to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
Arteta, speaking on Friday, did not hide his surprise.
"Very surprised, to be fair, especially because with Gabi [Jesus] I had an individual talk in the dressing room," he said. "I don't know what words were said, it is fine."
He stressed that his final conversations with Jesus were cordial and appreciative on both sides.
"The words we used for each other, it was all about gratitude," he explained. "I don't know, it is OK. Sometimes I understand when you have to deliver bad news or news that people don't expect, those things [you can] react [to]."
Arteta framed the situation as part of the harsher reality of elite management. Someone has to deliver the blows.
"Somebody has to be the bad cop. If I have to be, I have to be and I understand," he said. For him, the true test of those relationships comes later, once the dust has settled.
He pointed to Leandro Trossard as the example he wants others to follow. The Belgian left Arsenal for Besiktas in a £15m deal this summer, yet he was back in the Emirates Stadium dressing room after Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea, joking with former team-mates and staff.
"What is important is normally what happens three months later, six months later, when Trossard comes in, he is the dressing room with us, the atmosphere and the relationship you have," Arteta said.
That is the kind of long-term respect he hopes will eventually define his connections with Jesus and Martinelli too.
"Things got so far with other players that they left, at some point the relationship has been really good," he added. "I hope that is the same case."
For now, Arsenal have to park the noise. They travel to Sunderland on Saturday night, intent on protecting a perfect start to the season and building on the momentum of a statement Champions League victory in midweek.
The 2-1 win at Napoli has injected confidence and, crucially, did not leave Arteta with a major defensive headache. Ben White, who limped late on in Italy, is "fine" according to his manager. Cristhian Mosquera, though, remains a doubt as the medical staff assess a muscular issue.
The off-field narratives are loud. Arteta’s task is simple: keep them outside the dressing room door and let the results do the talking.
