Gabriel Jesus suffers Arsenal blow after admission about team-mate comes to light

Gabriel Jesus would have been saddened by Arsenal's transfer business earlier this week

Gabriel Jesus was forced to say goodbye to his best friend at Arsenal following Oleksandr Zinchenko's sale.

The Ukraine international was sold to Ajax on deadline day after spending the first half of the season at Nottingham Forest. However, Zinchenko made just 10 appearances for the struggling Premier League side and his loan was subsequently ended by mutual consent.

His departure - four years after signing for the Gunners in a £30million deal from Manchester City - would have spelled a difficult goodbye, especially for Jesus. The Brazilian spent five years as Zinchenko's team-mate at the Etihad Stadium before reuniting with him in north London in the same transfer window.

After signing for the club, Jesus revealed that the pair got to know each other well under Pep Guardiola and when asked who his best friend at Arsenal was, he admitted it was Zinchenko.

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"I could say the Brazilians but I think Zinchenko because we’ve played together for years and we’ve got to know each other really well," Jesus stated. "He’s just a great guy to be around, and he’s a great player. He gives us something different."

Zinchenko's departure would have hit Declan Rice hard, too, given the Englishman admitted that he had formed a close relationship with the 29-year-old shortly after his £105m move from West Ham.

Rice said at the time: "To be fair, I’ve formed a lot of really good relationships here. There’s a lot of different cultures and I’m really close with Gabriel Magalhaes – we get on so, so well. Alex Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus and Aaron Ramsdale too.

"I get on with everyone, I talk to everyone and it’s great to have a good relationship with so many different people in the team. I look around and I think these are the people that I want to win stuff with and have a long career with.

"They’ve taught me so much. Take me and Gabriel for example. We’re both completely different personalities from completely different backgrounds and we play football in a different way too, but we learn so much from each other and we’ve formed a really good friendship."

Following the announcement of his exit, Zinchenko wrote a farewell message to Arsenal, which read: "To the Gunners. I will never forget the way you welcomed me. Still remember the goosebumps I got at the first game after hearing your “Always beliiiiiieeeve”.

"I couldn’t even dream about it. From the deepest place in my heart I would like to say a massive thank you for everything that you have done for me and my family. To the coaching staff, thank you for the opportunity to be a small part of this amazing club.

"To the players, thank you for the priceless experience, fantastic memories and becoming friends for life. To all the staff, thank you for your help and for looking after me and my family.

"And of course to the fans, for love, support and criticism which we as a players need to accept and work even harder."I just want to wish you all the best and hope you achieve everything what ever you wish. Once a Gunner always a Gunner. Thank you."