Hleb Regrets Leaving Arsenal

Last week I talked about how hard it is to be a Arsenal fan, since we lose al of out top players. One player on that list was Alexander Hleb, the Belarus international whom we lost to Barcelona. Well today, everyone and their mother is reporting that Hleb regrets the move, citing Arsene Wenger as a father figure to him....

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."

Why It's Hard To Be An Arsenal Fan

For all those football fans out there, this rant is for you...

I've been supporting Arsenal of London since I was 12. For more than a decade of support, I've watched them go from the immortals in the '03-'04 season where they went undefeated in the Premier League, to where they are now; the least dangerous of the Big Four. You look at the players of the team, and you ask how it is that they are continually battling for 3rd and 4th position in the hardest league in the world? Well it's because they continually sell off a major star who regularly provides impact. Thierry Henry to Barcelona, Alexander Hleb to Barcelona, and now the impending sale of Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City. With every step we take forward with some 19 year old phenom, we drop a proven professional on the way.

In a similar respect to the US national team, there is a point when the youth experiment ends, and you develop a cohesive mix of young stars, crafty veterans, and a handful of next level super stars. The latter group is imperative for a team like Arsenal, who have continually floundered in recent years behind the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea. The coming year will be unbelievably tough for manager Arsene Wenger should they lose Adebayor to the Blues at Man City. I pray the Robin van Persie and the teenagers at the Emirates can fill in his large boots.