Gabriel Jesus Says Arsenal Made Him Train Alone Before Barcelona Move

Gabriel Jesus has revealed that Arsenal forced him to train away from the rest of the squad this summer, as the club pushed to get him off the books before the transfer window closed.

The Brazil international eventually joined Barcelona on deadline day in a deal worth up to 15 million euros, around 12.85 million pounds, on a three year contract.

Jesus spent four seasons at Arsenal, scoring 32 goals in 123 appearances, but had become a fringe player last season, managing just three league starts as the club won the title.

He was involved in all four of Arsenal's preseason friendlies before suddenly being frozen out.

"The truth is, I was training, I did the entire preseason normally with Arsenal, and I already knew that, probably, I wouldn't play as much or wouldn't have as many opportunities. But nobody told me anything," Jesus told SportyTV.

He said the separation from the group came without warning. "I'm a professional, obviously I was training with the group, and out of nowhere they put me to train apart from the group."

Despite the situation, Jesus said he kept working hard in case another chance came his way. "I was doing my maximum [in training] to be ready, in case I got the chance to play at a high level again, and then in the last week [everything happened] very quick," he said.

The 29 year old was left out of Arsenal's matchday squad for their opening Premier League fixtures against Coventry City and Aston Villa, shortly before his move to Barcelona was confirmed in the closing days of the window.

Jesus credited several people at Barcelona for helping get the deal done. "The work of Deco, the president [of Barcelona], and the club... My agent was amazing. When we were sure that I had the opportunity to come, obviously I said yes straight away, no matter what. Now I'm so happy to be here," he said.

He made his debut for the Catalan club on Sunday at the Mestalla, in a match Barcelona won 5-0.