Gabriel Jesus reveals Arsenal communication breakdown before Barcelona move
Gabriel Jesus has described a sudden breakdown in communication at Arsenal before his move to Barcelona, saying he was separated from first-team training despite completing the club’s pre-season programme and preparing for the new campaign.
Final weeks at Arsenal
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Jesus completed pre-season with Arsenal and understood that his opportunities under Mikel Arteta could be reduced, but said the club did not formally explain its plans for him.
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The Brazilian forward continued training with the senior squad and worked to ensure he would be physically ready if required at a high level.
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In the final week of his time in London, Jesus said he was unexpectedly instructed to train away from the main group. He said the change came without a discussion about either his future or his standing in Arteta’s squad.
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With his Arsenal position becoming increasingly difficult, Barcelona moved quickly after the player became available.
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Jesus said sporting director Deco, Barcelona’s president and his agent were central to completing the deal. Once the possibility of joining the Catalan club became clear, he accepted immediately.
Jesus relieved to begin Barcelona chapter
The 29-year-old said he had remained fully professional throughout the uncertainty at Arsenal, continuing to push himself in training despite recognising that the club appeared to be heading in another direction.
“I trained normally throughout pre-season and knew I might not play as often, but nobody spoke to me about it,” Jesus said. “Then, without warning, I was told to work separately from the group.”
He added that he had been doing everything possible to be ready for a return to top-level football, only for events to accelerate sharply in the final days before his departure.
Jesus has now begun a new stage in La Liga after joining Barcelona, where he will seek to restore his place among Europe’s leading forwards. The former Manchester City player arrived at Arsenal in 2022 and played an important part in the club’s progress, but his account of the final weeks suggests his exit was far from straightforward.
For Arsenal, his departure allows the club to continue reshaping its attacking options. For Jesus, the Barcelona move offers a rapid opportunity to re-establish himself at the highest level.
