Arteta Reacts To Criticism Over Handling Of Jesus, Martinelli Arsenal Exits

Mikel Arteta has said he is “very surprised” by criticism over Arsenal’s handling of the departures of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli this summer.

Jesus claimed that “nobody told me anything” about why he was asked to train away from the first-team before securing a €15 million ($17m) move to Barcelona.

Former Gunners striker Ian Wright also questioned Gabriel Martinelli’s treatment as he was left out of Arteta’s matchday squads at the start of the season before completing a £60m ($81m) move to Al Hilal.

When asked about the reaction to both exits, Arteta (via ESPN) said on Friday: “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 is fine.

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“The words we used for each other, it was all about gratitude. 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 went on to reference Leandro Trossard, who also departed this summer in a €18m ($21m) move to Besiktas but returned to Emirates Stadium for last Sunday’s 2-1 win over Chelsea.

“Somebody has to be the bad cop. If I have to be, I have to be and I understand. 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.

“Things got so far with other players that they left, at some point the relationship has been really good. I hope that is the same case.”