Mikel Arteta said he is "very surprised" by criticism over Arsenal's handling of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli's summer departures. Jesus claimed "nobody told me anything" about why he trained away from the first team before his €15m move to Barcelona. Ian Wright also questioned Martinelli's treatment before his £60m move to Al Hilal.

Arteta said: "Very surprised, to be fair, especially because with Gabi I had an individual talk in the dressing room. I don't know what words were said, it is fine. The words we used for each other, it was all about gratitude." He added: "Somebody has to be the bad cop. If I have to be, I have to be and I understand."

Arteta referenced Leandro Trossard, who left for Besiktas in a €18m move but returned to Emirates Stadium for last Sunday's 2-1 win over Chelsea. "What is important is normally what happens three months later, six months later, when Trossard comes in, he is in the dressing room with us, the atmosphere and the relationship you have."

Arsenal travel to Sunderland on Saturday. Arteta confirmed Ben White is "fine" while Cristhian Mosquera is being assessed.