Pep Guardiola has revealed that Manchester City sold Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to Premier League rivals Arsenal because both the players did not want to stay at the Etihad outfit.
Arsenal signed both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko in the summer transfer window as the Gunners bolstered their squad. The north London outfit signed Gabriel Jesus on a five-year contract, while Oleksandr Zinchenk joined them on a four-year contract.
Arsenal now sits top of the Premier League points table, ahead of defending champions Manchester City. The Gunners have 47 points from 18 matches in the Premier League so far in the 22/23 season and are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City. Man City have 42 points from 19 matches so far this season in the English top flight.
At a press conference, Pep Guardiola addressed the question of whether he regretted letting Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko leave the club.
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Pep Guardiola reveals why Manchester City sold Gabriel Jesus & Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal
Pep Guardiola revealed he has no regrets about letting Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko leave. “When they want to leave they cannot stay,” the Manchester City manager said.
“I wish the best for Gabriel and Oleks. They are fantastic people, and they helped us a lot. I never say one player leave, it’s the club and it’s their decision. Erling [Haaland] and Julian [Alvarez] came and it’s difficult for Gabriel. What happened with Gabriel is normal. It was a good deal.”
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“For the players that were here, Gabriel, Raheem [Sterling], Oleks. I have a big thank you for what they have done for us. It was a good transfer for the club. We are not in the position we are because we do not have Oleks or Gabriel.”
Since signing for Arsenal, Oleksandr Zinchenko has so far featured in 14 games for the Gunners. He would have probably made more appearances for Arsenal by now had he not had spells on the sidelines.
Gabriel Jesus, meanwhile, has featured in 20 games so far for Arsenal. He has also racked up five goals and seven assists for the Gunners. Five of those goals and six of those assists came in the Premier League, where Arsenal are the table-toppers. But the Brazilian international is currently out of action after suffering an injury during FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign.
