Hleb: I regret leaving Arsenal

Former Arsenal winger Alexander Hleb has expressed his disappointment and regret at ever leaving the North London club.

The Belarus international moved to FC Barcelona in order to win more trophies, but failed to establish a regular place in the side.

Hleb said: "When you mostly sit on the bench, winning titles brings very little joy, while getting to the last eight of the Champions League with Arsenal was unforgettable.

"I regret my move from London, but unfortunately nothing can be done about it now.

"For me, Wenger was like a father. I consider him one of the best managers in the world.

"For such a boss one wants to die on the pitch. Arsène managed to create a smashing team with a wonderful atmosphere inside of it.

"I have no doubts that if Arsenal had the same budget as Barcelona, the Gunners would be among the three best clubs on the planet."

User Comments

homielanre

Posted on 22 Jul, 2009 at 05:00 PM - Reply

Hleb is a fantatic player! I felt really bad when Hleb left Arsenal and can only wish he finds his way back. If there is any chance, I'd take him back anyday. He is the best combination Fabregas is missing presently and if Wenger is redaing this, then he should reconsider taking him back. He has seen the difference and he is highly experienced.

fraternator

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 06:03 PM - Reply

im glad he left with out him we wouldnt have arshavin

every arsenal player ever to leave arsenal has become a shadow of their former self: Anelka, Petit, Overmars, Vieira, Campbell, Hleb and Flamini

ottunba

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 01:58 PM - Reply

i feel sorry for him for the mistake he made, all what he should be thinking now is where is going, not to be thinking of what hapened in the past. and to his comment we all Arsenal fans still loves him and all the ex players of arsenal.BYE

gooner158

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 12:37 PM - Reply

so true that most of the great players who left Arsenal in their prime have failed to recapture their greatness. you can add Henry and Pires to Overmars, Petit, Anelka, Vieira, Ljungberg, Hleb, Flamini, Campbell and soon enuf Adebayor. They have fallen to the Wenger curse for wanting to leave badly. Either failing to reproduce their form or getting injured. That is why the two greatest players of modern times for Arsenal were Tony Adams and Dennis Bergkamp who gave their all and would sweat blood for Arsenal finall retiring at the club. No one comes close to them in terms of performance and loyalty. Just wish we had more exemplary players like them.

useroz

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 11:04 AM - Reply

bench or not, he's still paid handsomely every week!

and not sure if these were his words... it'd be the translator getting carried away reflecting their thoughts??

dayboh

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 08:49 AM - Reply

i feel so sorry for alex.he was supposed to be one of the cardinal points in Arsenal's history but he traded that for the serenity of spain..let him lie on the bed he laid.

handy

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 08:48 AM - Reply

shame that he went - be great to see the fabregas rosicky hleb lineup again.

Dagasheezle

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 08:31 AM - Reply

Most arsenal starters are only good 4 the bench in top clubs.no more BIG 4,just BIG 3

Heffy

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 07:31 AM - Reply

Speaking of Gilberto, I thought AW treated him rather shabbily. He was an honest man and deserved better, esp the way he was not informed about Kolo and Cesc being captains, and not him (this is what i read on sky sports and goal.com). I really liked that bloke. Not all-action like Flamini, but I know he always tried and did a decent job.

Katuramu Absolom

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 06:49 AM - Reply

Our Lord Jesus Christ said, those who truly repent of their sins, will be forgiven. Manager Wenger, it is inorder to forgive some of these guys and bring them back if required since there is a general concencus in Arsenal community that you are one of the best foot ball club managers in the World, many regard you as a father of the club.

abdel kader DEM

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 04:19 AM - Reply

hi everyone, before we make some comments we have to think about some of the good and happy times the poor lad gave us, filled of smiles and joys whenever he touches the ball, we all make mistakes and we also learn from them. so let's bygone be bygone. C'mon the GUNNERS.

Adam

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 04:05 AM - Reply

Hleb was a great player, we miss him a lot and Wenger should buy him back at half price.

gunner4lyfe

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 03:39 AM - Reply

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! I cant stop laughing. i knew this would happen, it was only a matter of time. i think he is a great passer of the ball and would be good for our injury proned squad but i wouldnt take him back unless it was really cheap. TRAITOR

funny

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 01:25 AM - Reply

i dont feel sorry for him, he is responsible for what he have done to Arsenal. Let this guy rot in Barcelona !

Mark

Posted on 21 Jul, 2009 at 01:23 AM - Reply

I'd take Hleb back, his link up play with Fabregas was second to none and they both thrived when playing together. Arshavin/Walcott could slip into the striker role leaving Nasri, Rosicky, Arshavin/Walcott and Hleb... Oooph that don't sound bad does it. Add to that a defensive midfielder and its an unreal team!

NorwayGooner

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 11:41 PM - Reply

Hleb was a fantastic player and I was extremely sad to see him go. Its just sad for both parties that he regret the move now :(

Zico

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 11:06 PM - Reply

Thank you for leaving we now have Arshavin!

StrangeDog

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 11:02 PM - Reply

Possibly fabricated article. SMASHING?...

Dee

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 09:39 PM - Reply

I find it quite amazing at the number of players that leave Arsenal under Wenger to lose their status as 'world class' to become has-beens: Anelka, Petit, Overmars, Vieira, Hlbe, Flamini and Adebayor.

Oops did I make a deliberate mistake at the end? No its a prediction that he'll follow suit and say similar things in a year or 2 about how he doesn't enjoy keeping the bench warm at Man City but has a warm feeling in his wallet...

saintpeter faeji

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 09:06 PM - Reply

too late brother. i remember Gilberto telling them(hleb & flamini)that they will live to regret quiting Arsenal.

Lis

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 08:56 PM - Reply

HAHHAHAHA! SHAMEE HLEB SHAME, everyone except him knew he would be a failure at Barca. Wow, Hleb actually used the word 'smashing'? or in his belarusian accent 'smeeeeshinng' LOL

Forny

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 08:42 PM - Reply

I miss hleb, i would love him to join our club again.
We need the creative mind of his.

KG

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 08:42 PM - Reply

I'm not sure what to make of Hleb's latest comments, as he is no doubt agitating for a move away from Barca, but at the same time I can't help but feel sorry for him. To give up on Arsenal for such spurious reasons, where the team was essentially being built around him as the no. 10 in a 4-4-1-1, for the bench in quieter, more relaxing Barcelona is sheer lunacy. Hindsight, of course, is a wonderful thing. If we didn't now have AA I would even have him back here. I guess the best thing for everyone is to hope he can get a decent move to Germany where he'll be much happier, and to rack another point up in the column marked 'Arsene knows'.

george

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 08:35 PM - Reply

serves your right hleb thats what happens when u r GREEDY who ever leaves arsenal except henry never ever does well

Lanesra89

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 08:23 PM - Reply

Poor bloke.. he couldn't wait ti leave when he was here.. What was it? London life etc etc.. It goes to prove that the grass is not allways greener. The 9 strikers at Man Citeh will find that out this coming season.. True Hleb was one of the most skillfull players that ever put on an Arsenal shirt in recent years but his return in goals and his in ability to make a 5 yard pass sometimes made it fairly easy to let him go. Try Citeh Alex they like all the money grabbing players like yourself..

naysaynever

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 08:21 PM - Reply

this guy was a fool to have ever left, but it was no big loss anyway

Rambani

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 08:08 PM - Reply

Yeah right. Wenger like a father hey. Its suprising how quickly you ditched arsenal for a higher pay cheque at Barca. You got the cheque and zero football. I hope all arsenal players get to read this message.

Gooner 4 life

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 08:01 PM - Reply

you went hleb with no regrets and now you want us to believe that you truly feel bad about leaving. You ditched us for the money and the trophies so don't expect us gunner fans to feel sorry that your career that was going brilliantly at the emerites has led you to a spot on the bench at barca. GOODBYE

Chrispy

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 07:58 PM - Reply

I don't want to put the boot in to Hleb as I think he was incredibly skillful but badly advised player.
I'd have him and Flamini back in a heartbeat and how fired up would they be to payback Wenger and us fans. What do you reckon they would cost as a pair, eh? £12,13 or 14m?Throw Hangleand in there and that's a truly strong squad with options and premiership experience everywhere...... Oooh i'm starting to drool , so I am. Can but dream.

fed up

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 07:57 PM - Reply

we have got money the prices we charge with a average team is not good enough for the fans, bring top players in and not french thats all he looks at

Gooner Grantski

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 07:56 PM - Reply

Shame he left, he was a great skillfull player but was too goal shy. He shouldn't have left us when we needed togetherness the most but he saw the dollar signs in his eyes and did a Ade on us.

Goes to show what all us gooners already know, life is rarely greener on the other side when it's away from our great Arsenal.

supermum

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 07:34 PM - Reply

WELL.......WHAT A SURPRISE..SOMEONE ELSE WHO REGRETS LEAVING ARSENAL !!!!!!!!

simms21

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 07:33 PM - Reply

Well he said it....now I kindof want him back... thats all some dudes want is for the angry Ex girlfriend to say she was wrong and beg to come crawling back.. How about that ice cream! LOL

simms21

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 07:32 PM - Reply

Well he said it....now I kindof want him back... thats all some dudes want is for the angry Ex girlfriend to say she was wrong and beg to come crawling back.. How about that ice cream! LOL

lezza

Posted on 20 Jul, 2009 at 07:25 PM - Reply

the guy finally talked sense and i bet in the barca dressing rooms they talk about arsenal and if they had more budget which is why i always read appraise from barca players

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