Arteta 'very surprised' by Jesus criticism over Arsenal exit

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed surprise on Friday at public criticism from former striker Gabriel Jesus regarding his departure from the club. Jesus, who completed a transfer to Barcelona on September 1, stated in an interview this week that he was suddenly made to train separately from the first team and received no communication about his future. Arteta, speaking ahead of Arsenal's Premier League match against Sunderland, offered a contrasting account. "Very surprised, to be fair. Especially because with Gabi Jesus I had an individual talk in the dressing room," Arteta told reporters. "I don't know what words were said, it's fine. The words that we used were all about gratitude." The dispute centers on the handling of Jesus's exit after a four-year spell in North London. The Brazilian international said he completed preseason preparations with the squad before being abruptly isolated. "I was training with the group and suddenly they put me to train apart," Jesus told SportyTV. "Nobody told me nothing." Arteta did not directly deny that Jesus was moved away from the main group but framed the situation as a difficult aspect of management.