Gabriel Jesus reveals he expected to see out Arsenal contract

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Gabriel Jesus never saw the Barcelona move coming. In a new interview, the forward has revealed that he fully expected to either finish his contract at Arsenal or return to Brazil before Barcelona suddenly entered the picture this summer.

Jesus left the Emirates after Barcelona turned to him following their failed pursuit of Julian Alvarez. The Brazilian accepted a significant pay cut to complete the move, while Arsenal were reportedly happy to sanction the sale with the striker entering the final year of his deal.

Speaking to Barcelona's official website, Jesus explained just how limited he thought his options were before the Catalan club made contact.

Expecting Arsenal or Palmeiras, not Barcelona

Jesus had struggled for regular minutes at Arsenal last season, finding himself behind Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino in Mikel Arteta's pecking order. Despite that, he insists he was prepared to stick it out in north London rather than force an exit.

Palmeiras had also been pushing to bring him back to Brazil before Barcelona's interest materialised. According to the forward, neither option felt like an open door to European football's elite at that stage of his career.

“In my head, either I would stay at Arsenal until the end of my contract, or I would return to Brazil,” Jesus said. “I thought the opportunity to play for Barça had passed, but God surprised me again.”

A quick decision once Barcelona called

Jesus described how rapidly the move came together once Barcelona made their move, leaving him with little inclination to weigh up alternatives.

“Imagine being away from the pitch for a week and then Barça turn up wanting to sign you. I didn't want to hear about anything else. Coming here was quick and easy,” he added.

The 29-year-old's time at Arsenal was defined by persistent injury problems and inconsistent form, never quite recapturing the sharpness he showed in his final season at Manchester City before his 2022 switch to the Emirates. With Havertz, Gyokeres and Merino all ahead of him in the forward line, a reduced role appeared increasingly likely had he stayed.

Jesus now begins a new chapter at Camp Nou, having arrived at Barcelona almost by accident rather than through any long-laid plan. Arsenal, meanwhile, head into the season with their forward options settled, leaving Jesus's exit as a straightforward case of a player moving on once his opportunities dried up.