There was a point after his three-season stint at Arsenal where Alexander Hleb was considered to be one of the most promising talents in the Premier League. The Belarusian midfielder excited Arsenal fans with his exquisite close control, creative passing and natural flair. It arguably shouldn't have come as so much of a shock that Catalan giants Barcelona snapped up Hleb, paying 17 million for the player to join their squad which would go on to win the treble in 2008/09. Despite this successful season, Hleb only made fleeting appearances and was subsequently loaned out to Stuttgart in 2009/10 where he had previously tenured. Speaking to the Telegraph, Hleb had the following to say on his departure from Arsenal: "Of course I regret leaving Arsenal. I was playing every week for one of the most exciting sides in Europe, a team which was always in the top four in the Premier League and were Champions League contenders. I was being guided by one of the best coaches in the world in Arsene Wenger. I owe him a great deal." The career of Alexander Hleb has been a disappointing one which could have been far more fruitful. The wrong decisions cost the midfielder dearly and one cant help but think that the regular football and tutelage of Wenger at Arsenal would have helped him out immensely.
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
