Mikel Arteta made me train alone like Gabriel Jesus – Arsenal boss said I put knife in his back

Mikel Arteta isn't afraid to exile players at Arsenal, as multiple players have found out the hard way over the years with Gabriel Jesus seemingly the latest

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang felt the impact of Mikel Arteta's ruthlessness long before Gabriel Jesus' experience of it.

The Brazilian striker left Arsenal for Barcelona in a £8.57million deal on deadline day after four years at the Emirates Stadium. While Arteta praised the impact Jesus had during his time in north London, the 29-year-old claimed that the Gunners boss told him to train alone before leaving the club.

Speaking to SportyTV, the forward said: "So, the truth is, I was training, I did all the pre-season with Arsenal as normal. Obviously, I knew already that probably I would not play there or get many opportunities, but nobody told me nothing.

"Well, I am a professional. Obviously, I was training with the group. Then, from nothing, they put me to train away from the group. Well, I was training, I was doing my maximum to be ready if I have a chance to play at a high level again. Then, obviously, in the last week, it was very quick.

"The work with Deco, the president of the club, and my agent was amazing. In one day, it was sure that I would have the opportunity to come [to Barcelona]. I said yes, straight away, no matter what, and I am so happy to be here."

It's an instruction that Arteta previously aimed at Aubameyang before the former Arsenal skipper's contentious departure in 2022. The relationship between the duo completely broke down after the 37-year-old was frozen out of the first team after going on an approved trip abroad to visit his sick mother.

Aubameyang was delayed in his return to north London, resulting in a huge bust-up with Arteta that eventually spelt the end of his career at Arsenal in 2022. The now Deportivo La Coruna striker told Colinterview in 2024: "I arrive, the coach finishes his meeting and then he grabs me and he completely tears into me, he shouts at me like I’m crazy.

"He says, ‘You put a knife in my back. You can’t do that to me given the times we’re going through.’ At that moment I tell myself that I’m not going to answer him because it’s going to end angrily. I didn’t go partying. He knows very well the reason for my departure so at that moment I don’t understand why he is lecturing me like this."

The breakdown in communication between Arteta and Aubemeyang was played out in Arsenal's All or Nothing documentary on Amazon Prime Video. The Spaniard's decision to inform the squad of his decision to remove the striker as captain was featured in the programme.

The former Gabon international added: "I go home and the doctor calls me and says, ‘Tomorrow, the coach doesn’t want you to be there.' The days pass and the doctor tells me, ‘Look, he doesn’t want you to be with the group anymore, but you will be able to come and train but separately.’

"I say to myself ok… And then afterwards, he calls me and we have a meeting so he can explain to me that one, he’s taking away the captain’s armband, and two, I’m not training any more with the group."

Matteo Guendouzi was the first casualty of Arteta's no-nonsense standards at Arsenal, after he was excluded from training and subsequently sold after appearing to grab Neal Maupay by the throat after their 2-1 defeat to Brighton in 2020.

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The following season, Arteta omitted Mesut Ozil from Arsenal's 25-man Premier League squad before the World Cup winner ended his eight-year tenure in England in January 2021 when signing for Fenerbahce.

Jesus was joined by Gabriel Martinelli in his seemingly troublesome end to life at Arsenal. The 25-year-old joined Al-Hilal last week in a £60million deal after being left out of the Gunners' first two Premier League squads this season.

Like he did with Jesus, Arteta praised Martinelli's influence in Arsenal's progression over the last few years, but the Brazil winger noticeably snubbed his former boss when announcing his exit. Arteta's reluctance to differ on his non-negotiables has certainly aided the club in returning to their prior status as the best team in the country.