Mikel Arteta Defends Arsenal's Player Departures

Mikel Arteta has pushed back hard against criticism of Arsenal’s handling of recent high-profile departures, insisting communication with his players has been clear and respectful.

The Arsenal manager found himself under scrutiny after Gabriel Jesus claimed “nobody told me anything” when he was told to train away from the first team ahead of his £12.5m move to Barcelona. The Brazilian’s comments opened the door to wider questions about how exits are managed at the club.

That debate intensified when Ian Wright publicly questioned Arsenal’s treatment of Gabriel Martinelli. The winger was frozen out of early-season squads before sealing a £60m switch to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, a move that raised eyebrows given his previous importance to the team.

Arteta, speaking on Friday, dismissed the idea that those players had been cast aside without proper explanation.

“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 exchanges with Jesus were cordial and appreciative, not confrontational.

“The words we used for each other, it was all about gratitude,” Arteta 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].”

For Arteta, the true test of those relationships comes after the dust settles. He pointed to Leandro Trossard as the example he wants others to follow. The Belgian left for Besiktas in a £15m deal this summer, yet there was no hint of bitterness when he returned to the Emirates Stadium dressing room after Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea.

Trossard mixed freely with his former team-mates, a scene Arteta used to underline his belief that respect can outlast a transfer.

“Somebody has to be the bad cop,” he said. “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.”

Arteta admitted that with some players, tensions have escalated in the past to the point where a parting of ways became inevitable, but he insisted that did not erase years of good work together.

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

He clearly wants time to soften any lingering frustration from Jesus and Martinelli, trusting that memories of shared success will eventually outweigh the sting of an exit.

For now, though, Arsenal’s attention turns back to the pitch. They travel to Sunderland on Saturday night looking to extend their flawless start to the new campaign and shut out the noise swirling around recent departures.

The mood in the camp is lifted by a statement Champions League win away to Napoli on Wednesday, a result that reinforced their early-season momentum and gave the squad another injection of belief.

Arteta also moved to calm any fears over key personnel. Ben White, who appeared to be struggling late on in Italy, has been given the all-clear.

The defender is “fine”, according to his manager, while Cristhian Mosquera is still being assessed as he battles a muscular issue.

The off-field questions will keep coming. The fixtures will, too. How Arsenal juggle both may define just how far this season can really go.