Mikel Arteta has demonstrated throughout his tenure at Arsenal that he will not hesitate to sideline players, with a series of high-profile exclusions occurring under his leadership.
Gabriel Jesus appears to have become the most recent individual to experience this approach, following his contentious departure from the club.
The Brazilian forward completed a move to Barcelona on transfer deadline day, with the deal valued at £8.57 million.
The 29-year-old had spent four seasons competing at the Emirates Stadium prior to his exit.
While Arteta publicly acknowledged the contributions Jesus made during his time in north London, the player himself has revealed that the Arsenal manager instructed him to train independently before his departure from the club.
During an interview with SportyTV, the forward explained that he completed his full pre-season schedule with Arsenal without any indication of what was to follow.
He stated that he was already aware he would likely receive limited opportunities, yet received no formal communication regarding his situation.
The final week before his move proceeded rapidly, and he accepted Barcelona’s proposal immediately, expressing his satisfaction with the transfer.
This approach mirrors tactics Arteta previously employed against Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang prior to the forward’s controversial exit from the club in 2022.
The relationship between the pair deteriorated significantly after Aubameyang was marginalised from the first-team squad following a permitted journey abroad to attend to his unwell mother.
The delay in his return to London prompted a significant confrontation with Arteta that ultimately concluded his association with Arsenal.
Aubameyang, who now represents Deportivo La Coruna, recounted in a 2024 interview with Colinterview that upon his arrival, Arteta concluded a meeting and subsequently confronted him aggressively, shouting extensively.
The decision to strip the forward of the captaincy was communicated to the playing squad and documented in the match programme.
A mutual termination of Aubameyang’s Arsenal contract followed the breakdown in relations.
Aubameyang further described how he returned home before receiving a call from the club doctor informing him that Arteta did not want him present.
Days subsequently passed before he was informed he could train separately from the group.
Following this, Arteta summoned him to a meeting where he was informed of two decisions: the removal of the captain’s armband and his exclusion from group training sessions.
Matteo Guendouzi represented the initial victim of Arteta’s stringent expectations at Arsenal.
The midfielder was removed from training and subsequently transferred after being involved in an incident where he appeared to grasp Neal Maupay by the throat during a 2-1 defeat to Brighton in 2020.
Martinelli joined Jesus in experiencing what appeared to be a problematic conclusion to their Arsenal careers.
The 25-year-old secured a transfer to Al-Hilal the previous week in a deal worth £60 million, having been omitted from Arsenal’s opening two Premier League selections this campaign.
Although Arteta acknowledged Martinelli’s significance to the club’s development in recent years, the Brazilian winger notably omitted any reference to his former manager when announcing his departure.
Arteta’s insistence on maintaining his uncompromising standards has arguably played a significant role in Arsenal’s restoration to their former position as the nation’s leading team.