Gabriel Jesus’ departure from Manchester City in 2022 might have shocked fans, but for the Brazilian striker, the writing had been on the wall for months.
Just 25 days separated Erling Haaland’s arrival at City from Jesus’ switch to Arsenal, but Haaland’s signing wasn’t the sole reason behind his exit. In truth, Jesus had already made up his mind to leave the previous season. The tipping point came during a team selection that left him heartbroken, reaching out to his family in Brazil for comfort.
Ironically, Jesus spent years battling to become City’s main striker, constantly competing with the legendary Sergio Aguero. But when Aguero finally departed, Jesus declared a desire to play more on the wing, leaving City without a recognized center-forward until Haaland arrived. Even so, Pep Guardiola often used Jesus as a false nine, and he praised the Brazilian’s versatility, saying: “He’s the best striker/defender I ever found to play in the three positions. [He] can play five minutes, he plays the best five minutes of his life. He plays 90 minutes, he will give everything.”
Despite his adaptability, Jesus eventually felt stifled. A particular decision by Guardiola during a Champions League match against PSG in 2021 left a lasting impact. Recalling the event, Jesus shared, “There was a Champions League game, PSG at home, where he put [Aleks] Zinchenko as a false nine. Crazy thing. The day before, he didn’t even use him in training; he had me as a striker… Zinchenko even joked: ‘that day I felt bad for you.'”
The shock was immense. “Two hours before the game, he named the team. I didn’t even eat. I went to my room crying and called my mother, saying: ‘I want to leave.’ He put Zinchenko, a left-back, in my place! I was furious.”
Though Jesus ultimately came on and helped turn the match around with a goal and an assist in a 2-1 victory, the experience stayed with him. “In the next [Champions League] game, I thought I was going to play, but I didn’t.”
That moment became the catalyst for Jesus’ departure. Although he continued to score crucial goals for City, his time on the bench led him to seek a new challenge. When Arsenal came knocking with a £45 million offer, the stage was set for a fresh start in North London.
Reflecting on his decision to leave, Jesus told ESPN that it wasn’t just about that one match. Guardiola’s system and style of play also factored into his choice. “I was very happy at Manchester City. It’s not that I was unhappy, but I had to accept the way the team wanted me to play,” Jesus explained. “It’s up to you to accept it or not. If you don’t, it’s ‘thank you,’ and off you go. There came a moment when I said: ‘I want something else for myself.'”
Guardiola and City have always been open to letting players leave if they’re unhappy, provided a good offer is made. Arsenal’s bid was a healthy return for a player with 95 goals in 236 games, not to mention four Premier League titles, four League Cups, and an FA Cup during his five-and-a-half years at the Etihad.
One thing that eased Jesus’ transition to Arsenal was reuniting with Mikel Arteta, Guardiola’s former assistant. While comparisons between Arteta and Guardiola are inevitable, Jesus pinpointed a key difference—freedom. “It’s different here at Arsenal. It’s different football, with different players and ways of playing,” Jesus said in September 2022. “At City, the striker didn’t touch the ball that much. Guardiola often brought a midfielder closer. So, I decided to change [clubs].”
The move to Arsenal brought a new sense of freedom for Jesus. “I talked a lot with Arteta about the style of play. He knows me, I know him. Now, I’m free on the field, playing with a smile on my face.”
Despite the frustrations that led to his departure, Jesus has always maintained respect for Guardiola. When City faced Arsenal in 2023, Guardiola warmly embraced Jesus, even sharing a kiss on the cheek after the match. Though Jesus is yet to score against his former team, his return to the Etihad is always met with affection, a sign of the respect he commands both in Manchester and North London.
