Hleb leaving Arsenal
May 24th, 2008 • Players • Transactions
Nikolai Shpilevski, Hleb’s agent, has stated that the Belarus International is already holding talks with another club. “I can officially confirm that a short time ago Alexander decided that he will leave Arsenal and join another club. Of course, Arsenal and Arsene wanted him to stay but they have accepted the player’s choice”. Hleb has been playing with Arsenal for the past 3 years. He transferred from Stuttgart in 2005 for €11.2 million but has not settled down in London. “I can’t tell you anything about where he will be playing yet. Talks are under way, and I don’t have the right to make them public. I think that the issue of his new club will be clarified in the next few days” said his agent.
Arsenal recently lost defensive midfielder Mathieu Flamini and now they’ve lost attacking midfielder Hleb. Hleb and Flamini have both been part of Arsenal’s midfield for some time and losing both will severely impair with the development of Arsenal’s team. Wenger will have to find new starting midfielders to take their places as well. “Alex has spent three good seasons at Arsenal and he wasn’t sure he could maintain the same level that he has been showing if he stayed. It’s also true that he felt uncomfortable off the field. Alexander wants a change of scene. That’s had a large part to play in his decision.”