Hleb explains decision to move to Barcelona

Winger Alexander Hleb has moved to smoothen what is remaining of his relationship with Arsenal by explaining his move to Spanish club Barcelona.

The Belarus international looked as if he had burnt all his bridges when he did almost everything he could to move away from London.

What was surprising was when he claimed that London was too hectic as a city for him and that he couldn't tolerate the city's lifestyle.

Hleb said: "I am from Belarus and I was always with my family in December for Christmas and New Year, and it is very important.

"London was very hectic, it was really just football that helped me in that life.

"I wanted a change and Barcelona for me are the biggest team. It is my dream and I'm very happy. Now this is a different league and I hope I adapt as quickly as possible.

"I never said anything bad about Arsène or Fabregas.

"This was just an English newspaper saying this. For me, Fabregas is my best friend and I had a good understanding with him on the pitch.

"Arsène Wenger, for me, is like a father. He gave me a lot and I learned a lot from him and I need to say thank you to him for the fact that I now play in Barcelona.

"If Arsène Wenger stays at Arsenal, they will always play at the top. I think he is everything for Arsenal."

User Comments

Disillusioned Gooner

Posted on 27 Jul, 2008 at 10:38 PM - Reply

I totally agree with Femi!!Just watching ss news & Fab has decleared a future move to R madrid could happen @ the right time. THIS SEASON IS SILVERWARE OR BUST!!! WHETHER IT'S WINNING BEAUTIFULLY OR JUST PLAIN UGLY!!!

Femi

Posted on 26 Jul, 2008 at 08:32 PM - Reply

Everyone sees everything evil about the wantaways from Arsenal, but few if any are looking inwards. Arsene Wenger has not won ANY silverware in THREE Seasons and he's not buying enough. Everyone still thinks all is well. It's nost just about filling positions but having enough players to stand the rigours of the whole season and maintaining a winning mentality. This is lacking in the team. ANYTHING SHORT OF AT LEAST A PREM WIN AND I WANT TO PROMISE YOU ARSENAL WILL GO APART!!! PATIENCE IS RUNNING OUT. THE 'HAWKS' WILL BE BACK AGAIN AND I TELL YOU THOSE WHO HAD RESISTED THIS SEASON WILL LEAVE.

abdul

Posted on 26 Jul, 2008 at 05:54 PM - Reply

Hleb was a very good player.and i hope he plays well for barca.

Achintya

Posted on 25 Jul, 2008 at 05:36 PM - Reply

we'll i hope hleb gets more time to spend with his family during christmas time...atleast the three year trophyless jinx will be driven away with him..

ayodeji mustapha

Posted on 25 Jul, 2008 at 04:40 PM - Reply

hleb, can you leave us alone and face your business, we dont like to think about you again. my fab and adebayo.

nice

Posted on 25 Jul, 2008 at 07:49 AM - Reply

there's a lot more briliant player in the world for arsenal & wenger will find & get them all

simon_84

Posted on 25 Jul, 2008 at 03:23 AM - Reply

he should learn to keep his trap shut!

Assim

Posted on 24 Jul, 2008 at 10:35 PM - Reply

Hleb was very good, one of Barca's best signing, I think it's a good decision.

Jack

Posted on 24 Jul, 2008 at 10:33 PM - Reply

He never said a word when he was here and now he never stops does he! Barcelona is a prestigious club who agreed to pay him significantly more than we did..the same with Flamini. Fair enough I say, though I think that its a shame that we couldn't get a fee for Flamini. When I think back five years to the players that we had in their respective positions, I really cant get too bothered about their departures..we need to recapture the quality of five years ago cos we're nowhere near it at the moment...and that means spending some money.

Diegojay

Posted on 24 Jul, 2008 at 07:22 PM - Reply

Everyone at some point in their lives wants or needs a change, Hleb has kept his counsil(the trash the newspapers write is exactly that...trash)I don't for one second believe he dissed Fab and Arsene... We as fans need to wake up and realise that not every player has Arsenal running through their veins (like we do:-), it is a job and like any other job, they have the right to choose to leave... The only thing we should ask and expect as fans, is that the players treat our club and us with the respect we deserve (not like Ronaldo saga, he is a disgrace - as much I am laughing, i think the way he has gone about it stinks). I think Hleb has made a good decision for him and maybe for us too, put your footballing head on and I think we will be more effective with a more direct player in his position (Maybe not as gifted as Helb, but with a better goal/assists return). It always sux when people don't want to stay at our club, but the future is very bright...Thanks Alex, it was a pleasure to watch you. Good luck.

Savvas

Posted on 24 Jul, 2008 at 06:51 PM - Reply

yeh they all wasted away, but they won trophys and got ALOT of money

Menace

Posted on 24 Jul, 2008 at 06:24 PM - Reply

Hleb was a good player and will be missed. He will be very lost in the Barcelona team because of their style. The press stir up a lot but then players are basically dim when it comes to reality. Their incomes are obscene as are some of their mentalities. Fans have had a raw deal at most clubs because the game has not improved with the cost. Arsenal fans have had the best value for money when it comes to quality of football. We are due for the best seasons ever and it is exciting. I look forward to Arsene's team.

sai

Posted on 24 Jul, 2008 at 05:31 PM - Reply

i never heard hleb speak once when he played for us, now he wont shut up, what a waste man. I would like to see arsenal buy elano from man city that would be HEAVY (excellent)

nick

Posted on 24 Jul, 2008 at 03:30 PM - Reply

I see that after left us, this guy never stop talking does he ? first he tought that he want to leave arsenal, then he came to barca and said that barca is the greatest team he ever dream of, and now he is telling ade and cesc to join him, who the hell is he ??!!!!

Powelly

Posted on 24 Jul, 2008 at 12:13 PM - Reply

Waste away is Spain Hleb like Anelka, Overmars, Petit, and to some extent Henry. Don't you guys ever learn????

CORTEZ

Posted on 24 Jul, 2008 at 11:42 AM - Reply

I never believed a word of what was stated in 'The Sun' and 'The NOTW' they just like to stir up s**t between clubs and players cause it sell newspapers...good luck to Hleb, who wants a player that does not want to play for his club? only ManU...hee hee

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