Pep Guardiola Manchester City manager has defended the club’s sale of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to Premier League rivals Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal signed both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City in the summer transfer window of 2022. Both players have been impressive for Arsenal, who sit atop the Premier League points table ahead of defending champions Manchester City.
Gabriel Jesus has joined Arsenal on a five-year contract that runs until 2027. Oleksandr Zinchenko, meanwhile, put pen to paper on a four-year contract at Arsenal in the summer of 2022.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s FA Cup clash with Arsenal, Pep Guardiola was asked whether selling both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko in the summer was a mistake.
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Pep Guardiola reacts to whether Gabriel Jesus & Oleksandr Zinchenko’s sales were mistakes
However, Pep Guardiola is not of the opinion it was a mistake on Manchester City’s part to sell both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
“Why? Because they are winning?” Pep Guardiola said in response to the question. “They have been amazing for us, we have incredible respect for them as people first and as footballers.
“Of course, we want to beat them, but with all the success they’ve had, I’m more than delighted. Both clubs agreed and that’s all.”
Since signing for Arsenal, Oleksandr Zinchenko has appeared in 15 games across all competitions for the Gunners. The Ukrainian international would have probably made more appearances for the Gunners had not had spells on the sidelines due to injuries.
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Gabriel Jesus, meanwhile, has appeared in 20 games across all competitions for Arsenal so far this season. He has also racked up five goals and seven assists for the Gunners in the ongoing campaign.
Gabriel Jesus, however, is currently out of action after the Brazilian international picked up an injury during Brazil’s FIFA World Cup 2022 group-stage clash with Cameroon. He has been out of action ever since and has missed all of the matches Arsenal have so far played in since the resumption of club football action after the end of FIFA World Cup 2022.
Meanwhile, the FA Cup fourth-round clash between Manchester City and Arsenal kicks off at 1:30 am Indian Standard Time on January 28.
