Mikel Arteta 'surprised' by criticism over handling of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli exits

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted he was 'surprised' by the criticism over his handling of the departures of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard during the recent winter transfer window. Speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of the Premier League fixture against Sunderland, Arteta insisted all decisions were made for the long-term benefit of the club. "I was a bit surprised by the reactions," Arteta said. "We always have frank discussions with each player. Sometimes someone has to play the 'bad cop', but that's part of the job when you manage a squad with many top-class players." Three attacking players left Arsenal in January: Gabriel Jesus joined Barcelona for €15m (approx $17m), Gabriel Martinelli moved to Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) for £60m ($81m), and Leandro Trossard signed for Beşiktaş for €18m ($21m). The total revenue from these three transfers is estimated at over €90m, a significant sum that helps Arsenal strengthen their financial position under the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). However, the handling of the departures drew criticism from former star Ian Wright, who questioned the treatment of Martinelli, and from Gabriel Jesus himself, when the Brazilian striker claimed 'nobody told me anything' about being asked to train away from the first team. Jesus felt he was pushed out of the Emirates disrespectfully. Arteta rejected these allegations, emphasising that he had individual conversations with each player before the transfers went through. "I spoke directly with Gabriel (Jesus) and Martinelli. Maybe the message wasn't received as I intended, but everything was clear from our side," Arteta explained. He cited Leandro Trossard's return to the Emirates as an opponent last September as evidence that good relations were maintained. "He (Trossard) came back, and the relationship has been really good. What matters is what happens three months later, six months later, when he comes back... that is the real measure." Beyond the transfer story, Arteta also updated the squad's fitness situation ahead of the trip to the Stadium of Light. Defender Ben White suffered a minor knock after the 2-1 win over Chelsea and showed signs of limping in the Napoli Champions League match midweek. "Ben is fine, but we need to check further. Mosquera is being assessed for a muscular problem. We'll make a late decision," Arteta said. Arsenal have a perfect start to the Premier League season with a win over Chelsea and an away victory at Napoli in the Champions League. Arteta hopes to maintain this form against Sunderland, a weaker but always tricky opponent. "We want to keep the winning momentum. Sunderland are a well-organized team, and we must be fully focused." Tactically, the simultaneous departure of three attacking players raises questions about the restructuring of Arsenal's forward line. Arteta did not reveal any replacement plans but implicitly confirmed the club has financial resources to reinvest. "We are always looking to improve the squad. When the right opportunity comes, we will act." However, analysts suggest that selling three players at once may create squad depth risks, especially with a congested schedule of both Premier League and Champions League. Arsenal's defense also carries potential risk with Ben White and Mosquera suffering fitness issues. If both fail to recover in time, Arteta may have to field a weakened side at Sunderland, potentially leading to dropped points. From a media perspective, the story of Arteta's transfer handling is generating a small but 'results-dependent' debate: if Arsenal continue winning, criticism will subside; if they slip, pressure on Arteta will rise. Former star Ian Wright is among only a few voices, with no signs of fan unrest or bookmaker sack-race signals. However, Arteta knows that a poor result at Sunderland could fuel the criticism. Financial analysis shows these sales significantly improve Arsenal's PSR metrics, especially the £60m fee from Martinelli – a 'sell-high' price when the player was no longer in long-term plans. Meanwhile, the €15m fee for Jesus is well below his peak market value, reflecting his injury history and wage pressure. The approximately €90m raised opens up reinvestment opportunities in the next transfer window. Overall, Arsenal's situation is a dual picture: on the pitch, they are flying high with an impressive run; off it, Arteta faces questions about his man-management. He has chosen proactive defense by explaining frankly, but contradictions in Jesus' account remain. The Sunderland match is not just a test of quality, but also an opportunity for Arteta to prove his squad operates smoothly despite personnel changes. "Football is an endless flow. Those who leave, those who stay, and those who come – all are part of a bigger plan," Arteta concluded. "I believe in what we are building, and the results on the pitch will speak for themselves." With a perfect start and an adapting squad, Arsenal enter a crucial phase of the season. Can Arteta maintain the balance between results and dressing-room management? The answer will come in the coming weeks.