Hleb: I have every respect for Wenger

Winger Alexander Hleb has said that he has every respect for manager Arsène Wenger and is grateful for the opportunities that the Frenchman has provided him.

Hleb, who is surrounded by heavy speculation that he is about to leave Arsenal, also clarified his criticism of Francesc Fabregas, who he originally claimed was selfish in shooting opportunities.

The Belarus international has also admitted that he would prefer a move to Spanish club Barcelona, even though he loves London and wouldn't want to be with any other club but Arsenal if he is playing in England.

He said: "I am very grateful to Arsène Wenger.

"He is the best coach of my career. And not just a coach. He's a very good man - and an intuitive psychologist. I appreciate his support.

"I can say there is no better club [Arsenal] in the Premier League. But in life, everything changes.

"Cesc and I understand each other well. And it is pleasurable for me to play with him.

"He's a pleasant guy in life and as a footballer. He is just more egoistic in goalscoring opportunities."

User Comments

Babatunde

Posted on 12 Jul, 2008 at 08:34 PM - Reply

Chill out guys, y'all need to understand that Hleb is not a Native English speaker so what he meant might have been lost in translation. I don't think the statement was meant to be a criticism of Cesc based on his subsequent description of his relationship with him. He was only pointing out the obvious difference in the way they make use of goalscoring opportunities.

al

Posted on 12 Jul, 2008 at 06:50 PM - Reply

if hleb wants to leave for barca, he will just end up keeping the subs bench warm...many arsenal players have left & come to regret it......

oliech

Posted on 12 Jul, 2008 at 04:01 PM - Reply

i think hleb is confused with that situation it will be better if he leave arsenal. he is like a waste labourer he doesnt knw how to shoot nor to cross the ball then he is a winger

kakibola

Posted on 12 Jul, 2008 at 05:06 AM - Reply

being a pro footballer one shud not throw harch statement to yr team mate/coach...just bcoz frantic to move out....you're making fool out of yrself,hleb...!!so,plse grow up for pete sake...!!

Raphael

Posted on 11 Jul, 2008 at 11:47 PM - Reply

Unfortunately he has made himself appear rather silly. One lie tends to lead to another and in my book he has not done himself ny favours. Would it not be more honest to say I have enjoyed London and the English league but wish to sample life in a warmer climate and, oh yes, get paid heaps more money. I'm sure many people could identify with that. Regardless of what he and other colleagues say, the money is very (perhaps too) important as they could always request that they be put on the transfer list. But instead everyone and everything else gets blamed rather than the individual taking responsibility and being honest.Hleb was great to watch but goals do win matches and he didn't score enough.

Jackson

Posted on 10 Jul, 2008 at 03:18 PM - Reply

Hleb is just finding an excuse to leave arsenal. If Cesc didn't take the chances, who would? Ade? I'd prefer Cesc to shoot than helb wasting the chances by giving the ball to Ade.

Cesc Pistols

Posted on 10 Jul, 2008 at 02:41 PM - Reply

Hleb is one of the reasons we've missed so many chances in 07/08.. I can't count how many times I've watched him lose the ball or make a bad pass in the box when he should have finished it himself.
Cesc is a provider who also can finish given an opportunity, his plays are worth twice thos of Hleb.

SHUMBUSHO Désiré

Posted on 10 Jul, 2008 at 11:03 AM - Reply

I can't agree that Fabregas is egoistic, Hleb is wrong, Fabregas plays for a team, try to give a ball to evry one and one he gets an opportunity he strikes and saves arsenal, such important goals: a goal at Milan, a goal in match against Liverpool and Manchester....

Hleb is a good player but is not gifted in striking, scoring goals

dayo

Posted on 10 Jul, 2008 at 11:02 AM - Reply

hleb is a great guy,he played well for arsenal.that we can not deny. to hleb= arsenal is a club were you can excel....... please dont end up like the arsenal legend...henry.be more commited and the sky will be ur limit. this was my advice to henry also

phader

Posted on 10 Jul, 2008 at 11:01 AM - Reply

hleb has lost his mine by moving to barca. some please tell me where hes goin to play. on the left???
we all know hes goin to turn out like henry and loose his magic touch. nice knowing u hleb

paddy

Posted on 10 Jul, 2008 at 06:59 AM - Reply

Helb would be a real loss! I am not sure but if he stays back how he and cesc are ognna look at each other?? Anyway services of Helb for our club is respected!! And cesc is not that egoistic i believe neither is helb. I dunno where that popped out from?

gooner

Posted on 10 Jul, 2008 at 04:26 AM - Reply

I hope hleb will end up like henry at barca..hahaha

simon_84

Posted on 10 Jul, 2008 at 03:28 AM - Reply

sorry i dont buy helb's crap. arsene has given you tonnes of chances and you keep blowing it by not shooting enough and always wanting to thread that impossible pass when the opposition defence is so packed!

Mudassir

Posted on 9 Jul, 2008 at 10:39 PM - Reply

yeah... hleb ysed to pass when there was a shooting opportunity. we need a person who can shoot. nasri can! i hope he signs asap. hleb cant blame cesc for shooting. we need goals man, not passes and then tell the whole world that 'I passed, He didnt!'

Toba:The only Gooner.

Posted on 9 Jul, 2008 at 05:28 PM - Reply

Hleb's criticism was misplaced. I think Hleb should criticise himself only. Many atimes when he had opportunities to shoot, what was the result? Hleb, there is no power in your legs! If I were Hleb, I will just wait and learn more from the master-Fabregas. Hleb should not use his outburst as an excuse to see his booming career come to a premature end: Fabregas and Wenger have forgiven him.

fredd defizzle d gunner

Posted on 9 Jul, 2008 at 04:58 PM - Reply

he can leave us now so that we can complete nasri's deal.goodluck in the retirement center barcelona f.c

Upset Gunner

Posted on 9 Jul, 2008 at 04:54 PM - Reply

How dare he say that Cesc is egoistic in goal scoring? Cesc is the best appaser of the ball and always unselfish close to the goal (perhaps because he doe not put a lot of power in his shots at goal) Hleb has himself to blame for scoring only 10 goals in 130 appearances. How many times has he had a clear chance at goal and every fan willing him to shoot only for him to do another twit and turn then pass the ball.

Go to Barca let a hungrier player in the name of Nasri take your shirt!!!!

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