Alexander Hleb has admitted that he regrets leaving Arsenal and “father figure” Arsene Wenger to join Barcelona in 2008.
Having spent three years in London the midfielder left the Gunners to join Barca for €15 million, with Pep Guardiola recruiting him due to his technical ability.
However, it never worked out for the Belorussian in Spain, with Hleb only making 19 appearances and going out on loan three times over a four-year spell.
Now 35 and playing for BATE Borisov for the fourth separate time in his native country, Hleb has reflected on his career decision and in hindsight wishes he’d stayed under the wing of Wenger for longer.
“Part of me regrets not staying at Arsenal – Wenger was like a father to me and he trusted me,” told Reuters, as reported by Football Espana.
“It saddens me to think about it, but at the same time, Barcelona was – and is – the bigger club. I didn’t play as much, but I did play a bit.”
Hleb was involved in Arsenal’s run to the 2006 Champions League final, and although he didn’t win it those memories mean more to him than Barca’s triumph three years’ later.
“I was at the peak of my abilities in London and living some of the best moments of my career,” he explained.
“In my first season we reached the Champions League final, which we lost. But I remember it a lot more than the final that I actually won with Barcelona in 2009.
“I don’t blame Guardiola – I should have been more professional. If I hadn’t taken that bad decision I could have played at the top for another five years.”
Hleb was signed for €15 million from Stuttgart in June 2005 by Wenger and went on to make 89 appearances over three years with the club, helping win the League Cup and Community Shield.
Although not a central figure for Wenger’s side, he was a fan-favourite in his time in north London and is remembered fondly for his commendable work ethic.
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