EPL Talk » Alexander Hleb

Alexander Hleb’s Departure From Arsenal Not A Huge Loss

The Gaffer — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:59:05 +0000

So Alexander Hleb has moved from Arsenal to Barcelona in a £11.9m transfer. While some Arsenal fans may fret about the loss, I’m not worried.

To me, Hleb isn’t a huge loss. When I first saw him play for the Gunners in a friendly match in the summer of 2005, I immediately liked the player and saw massive potential in him. He was breath of fresh air at the time. Unfortunately, though, he never quite lived up to his potential. Sure, he was an integral part of Arsenal’s squad but he lacked consistency. And, more importantly, he lacked the killer goalscoring touch knocking in just seven goals in his history with Arsenal.

Hleb’s departure from Arsenal to Barcelona reminds me of another foreigner who played in England and then was signed by a Spanish club. That man is former Arjen Robben who was signed by Real Madrid from Chelsea and was another naturally gifted winger, like Hleb.

Robben was another player that rose to prominence in England, showed flashes of brilliance but never quite achieved the top level of his game. In Madrid, Robben has fought his way into the side and scored four goals last season, which helped him contribute to Real’s 31st Spanish title in their history.

In the battle between Spain and England to acquire the best talent from around the world, the loss of Hleb and Robben doesn’t leave a gaping void in the Premier League. Both Hleb and Robben are replaceable. Arsenal’s new signing Samir Nasri will slot into the hole left by Hleb.

That said, it was a pleasure to see Alexander Hleb play in the Premier League. He was an important element of the attractive football that the Gunners continue to employ. I wish him the best of luck in Barcelona and look forward to seeing the Gunners take on the Catalan giants undoubtedly in a future Champions League match to see how Hleb has progressed after his move to Spain.

Are Hleb and Flamini Really Necessary?

tyduffy — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 02:14:46 +0000

With Alexander Hleb’s agent orchestrating ice cream flirtations with Inter and Mathieu Flamini stalling over signing a new Arsenal contract, Arsene Wenger has urged his young stars not to leave the club for more money.

Both players were key components of Arsenal’s success early in the season, but tailed off–along with the rest of the team–toward the end.

Though both players would require replacements are they necessarily irreplaceable?

Hleb may be the best dribbler in the Premier League, but how much does he really produce? He reportedly was a revelation this season, but his tangible numbers (2 goals and 5 assists) last season and (2 goals and 6 assists) this season are eerily similar. He penetrates defenses often but usually lacks the potency to finish and the foresight to find a teammate in time. Hleb is a fruitless attacking midfielder who offers nothing defensively. If Inter make a profitable offer, it is hard to see how Arsenal are not better off employing Diaby, Denilson, Vela or another signing in that position and letting Hleb walk.

Flamini gave a fine performance this season, but his early form largely overshadowed the rest of his season. He greatly improved, but it is hard to see how he went from probably Birmingham offload to indispensable talisman in seven months. His workrate and effort are always admirable. He is a very solid player, but he’s not an elite talent. He’s not a pure stopper like Mascherano and he is not terribly skilled moving forward. He looks great playing next to Fabregas, but so did Gilberto last season and so would many others. He is a nice player to have around, but would his loss really submarine a title shot next year?

Arsene may prefer to hold on to those two, but neither is essential.

Inter Accused of Tapping Up Hleb

tyduffy — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:52:14 +0000

Want to enrage Arsene Wenger? Try buying one of his young lads an ice cream.

According to the Guardian, the Arsenal manager will report Inter Milan to UEFA, after the club tapped up Alexander Hleb during the team’s trip to Milan.

Hleb reportedly left Arsenal’s hotel with an agent Claudio Vigorelli, who Wenger believes escorted the 26 year-0ld to Inter’s offices on Via Durini.

Vigorelli is affiliated with international super agent Vincenzo Morabito. Morabito admitted that Vigorelli met with Hleb, but denied any meetings with Inter. “They went for an ice-cream. We are sorry that Mr Wenger took it badly and complained because we have a good relationship with him,” Morabito told the Guardian.

Wenger signed Hleb from Hamburg in 2005 for 11.2m GBP. He had been thought a disappointment until a triumphant turn-around this season – slowed down in the second half by injury.

He has previously been linked with both Inter and Barcelona.

Arsenal have a number of young mid-fielders. If they can double their money, it may be a wise decision.