Arteta Says He Will Be Arsenal’s “Bad Cop” After Jesus Exit

LONDON — Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he is prepared to be the “bad cop” when difficult squad decisions must be delivered, after former striker Gabriel Jesus discussed his £12.8 million ($16.2 million) transfer to FC Barcelona.

Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City in July 2022 for £45 million, reuniting with Arteta, who had worked as an assistant coach under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City from 2016 to 2019. His first season in North London brought 11 goals and six assists in 26 Premier League appearances during the club’s push to become title contenders.

That momentum was interrupted when Jesus suffered a medial collateral ligament injury while playing for Brazil at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The injury required surgery and three months of rehabilitation. Subsequent knee complications affected his playing time, as did the arrival of German international Kai Havertz from Chelsea for £65 million in summer 2023 during the 2023–24 season.

Speaking before Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Sunderland, Arteta said he was surprised by Jesus’ claim that he had been made to train away from the first-team squad without an explanation during pre-season. The manager said he had held a direct, private conversation with the Brazilian forward before his Deadline Day departure.

“Very surprised, to be fair,” Arteta said regarding Jesus’ statements. “Especially because with Gabi I had an individual talk in the dressing room. I don’t know what the words were said, it’s fine. The words that we used for each other, it was all about gratitude.”

Jesus completed his £12.8 million move to Barcelona on the final day of the transfer window, ending a two-year stint in North London. In a recent interview, he described his final weeks at Arsenal.

“The truth is, I was training, I did the entire pre-season normally with Arsenal,” Jesus said. “I already knew that, probably, I wouldn’t play as much or wouldn’t have as many opportunities. But nobody told me anything. I’m a professional. Obviously I was training with the group and out of nowhere they put me to train apart from the group.”

Arteta framed the disagreement as part of elite football management when a player’s role is changing. “It’s ok, I understand,” he said. “Sometimes when you have to deliver bad news or news that people don’t expect, those things are reactive. Somebody has to be the bad cop. If I have to be, I have to be. I understand.”

Since arriving in Spain, Jesus has integrated quickly into Barcelona’s attack. During a recent 5-1 UEFA Champions League victory over Feyenoord, he scored with a header from a cross by 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal.

The exchange comes during an ongoing Arsenal roster overhaul that has followed Arteta’s appointment as head coach in December 2019. He has repeatedly enforced strict standards over squad selection and player departures, including the January 2021 exit of former Germany international Mesut Özil to Fenerbahçe after Özil was omitted from Arsenal’s Premier League and European squad lists.

Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the captaincy in January 2022 after disciplinary breaches. His contract was later terminated by mutual consent, leading to his transfer to Barcelona.

Belgian winger Leandro Trossard has also departed Arsenal during the summer transfer window. After Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, Trossard visited the home dressing room to see former teammates and staff.

Arteta cited that visit when discussing relationships after high-profile exits. “What’s important is what happens three months later, six months later,” he said. “When Trossard comes into the dressing room with all of us, the atmosphere and the relationships you have. Thank God so far, with all the players that have left, at some point the relationship has been really good. I hope that’s the same case.”

Arsenal is preparing for its upcoming away match against Sunderland as it seeks to maintain its position in the upper management of the Premier League standings.