The 28-year-old midfielder left the Emirates to make his "dream move" to Barcelona, the club he has supported since boyhood.
But it turned into a nightmare with Hleb barely starting a match for the Spanish giants and he has now moved on again, joining his former club Stuttgart on loan.
Hleb, set to face England in Wednesday's final World Cup qualifier at Wembley, admits he will feel sad being back in north London and so close to the club where he did so well.
Hleb said: "I regret leaving Arsenal. I was playing every week for one of the most exciting sides in Europe.
"I was being guided by one of the best coaches in the world and I owe Arsene Wenger a great deal. A footballer only truly exists when he takes to the field and makes a proper contribution to the team.
"But at Barcelona the season was spent with me almost entirely on the bench. I just couldn't continue with them.
"I was part of the squad that was almost unstoppable but it was hard not to feel detached from all the happiness and celebration at the end of last season.
"I could have gone to Inter Milan on loan but I turned down Jose Mourinho to go back to my old club Stuttgart, where I was always very happy."
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This article has 58 comments
The present predicament of Hleb, Flamini and Reyes should serve as a warming to the up and coming Arsenal players especially Franck Marida whom, it is reported has signed a precontract with Athletic Madribe for the rememberance of the death is a warming to the living.
By Andy-Dery.. Posted January 14 2010 at 8:45 AM.
Hleb, Reyes, Flamini, your all the same! Think your better away from Arsenal. Now you have made your beds you can all lie in them!! Nasri is a much better player anyway. You 3 could always come back as ball boys !!!!
By Simon.. Posted October 25 2009 at 10:07 AM.
helb you silly little boy,you played for one of the worlds biggest clubs already in london éarning great money yet that was not good anuff for you.go and cry to somone else who cares what you say now,like most players who leave thee arsenal they will regret it in a short time after.adebagel will be next in a season or so mark my words.the class mr henry has shown should be a leason to all you ex gunners his love for our great club is still shinning for all to see.the gap between arsenal and barca as clubs is not that big anymore and is closing and like them arsenal are in the top 5 in the world for everything.go go gunners
By david riley.. Posted October 18 2009 at 10:19 AM.
Mr hleb what i to tell is that u Can not eat your cake and still have it we dont need u again at emirate
By Akinwale.. Posted October 18 2009 at 1:18 AM.
Mr hleb what i to tell is that u Can not eat your cake and still have it we dont need u again at emirate
By Akinwale.. Posted October 18 2009 at 1:13 AM.
so long Hleb move on look forwad and develop but you will not be as good as you would have been had ypu stayed with wenger and arsenal Fc
By larry.. Posted October 13 2009 at 1:36 PM.
well, the sky is still ur limit. Am sorry there is no room for ungreatful player like u in Arsenal again, ur chance u blew it away.
By kingdeji.. Posted October 12 2009 at 3:05 PM.
this is what happen when you leave a club like
arsenal,its not all the time the grass is greener on
the other side.it can be a night mare.so all these
player who want to leave good football should speak
to hleb before you go...
H BIZZEL
GOONER 4 LIFE
By harold.. Posted October 12 2009 at 11:10 AM.
Yeah, the experiences of Mathieu Flamini should have definitely strike a chord for Hleb, but sometimes people fail to see the bigger picture even when it is staring them point balnk in the face. I admit the prospect of playing for Barcelona is huge, but sometimes when you're looking for bigger and brighter things you run the risk of losing out on smaller tings....
By africanfootbest.. Posted October 12 2009 at 8:25 AM.
It is not unusual for players to switch team because of dreams to play in a more prestigeous club. Football is a game of team work and chemistry.
It is not like tennis and you are on your own. This serves as a good lesson for those who dreams to play in the world's best club. I don't blame Helb because everyone has a dream as long as he is willing to accept the consequence.
By Norman Tsui.. Posted October 12 2009 at 4:50 AM.
Lets learn to forgive. It is a strenght of character to admit his mistakes. coming back to Arsenal will benefit the team as he will have a lesson to the young players. Wishing him all the best anyway!
By sols.. Posted October 11 2009 at 10:03 PM.
Hleb is a fantastic player and when he left Arsenal, I was disappointed because he provided the extra magic that was sometimes needed to unlock stubborn defences. That he realises his mistake is creditworthy. The only reason he would not be afforded a return is that the team is choc full of midfielders getting better with playing time. Bringing him back may therefore be a retrograde step. We shouldn't get carried away though. He hasn't said he wants to come back, just that he regrets leaving for Barca.
By L2.. Posted October 11 2009 at 9:43 PM.
you're nothing Hleb, nothing before you came and now nothing after, you blew it and contrary to your statement i along with most Arsenal supporters were delighted by your greed and short sightedness. Please don't mention us again as we simply couldn't give a flying b..... whether you are or are not happy with your decision. Crack on in a poor league where you may or may not flourish, again it is utterly irrelevant to Arsenal.
By bob.. Posted October 11 2009 at 7:49 PM.
you're nothing Hleb, nothing before you came and now nothing after, you blew it and contrary to your statement i along with most Arsenal supporters were delighted by your greed and short sightedness. Please don't mention us again as we simply couldn't give a flying b..... whether you are or are not happy with your decision. Crack on in a poor league where you may or may not flourish, again it is utterly irrelevant to Arsenal.
By bob.. Posted October 11 2009 at 7:47 PM.
Players like Flamini, Hleb and others should realise that you play good football because you connect with the other players in the team. That is why when a team decides to rebuild, they have to purchase 3, 4 or more players before they find players that can play well together. A Player may think he is very good as an individual, but it is the players around them that make them play good football. If you are exceptional, they will build a team around u. If you are good, please realise that changing a team may not be in your best interest. Let them please check if their style of play will fit with the style of play of the other team members. All over the world, players have made the mistake of leaving teams that were very good for their careers to join teams that they supported as youngsters and did not do well when they arrived. The same may happen to Cesc Fabregas if he leaves Arsenal.
By Moses.. Posted October 11 2009 at 7:16 PM.
Finally, you've realized that the "black horse" followed you when you were gone. I thought you could have been wise to think about the statistics of the rest that left without fulfilling their promises. Now, beg us to come back to our bench.
By Udoisim Uboh.. Posted October 11 2009 at 7:09 PM.
im so proud that those guys can look back and realise that theres no other father and second arsene wenger in the world game today soccer,who give young players the chance to prove themselves and live their carrer, to admit ALEX HELB departure was a real shock for me cause at stuttgart i knew him to be alex hleb but when he arrived at arsenal he was called my Z.ZEDAN known for his ability of penetrating opponent defence and creatin chances for goals and were regarded as one of the best wenger in europe, if he want to be back i dont think arsene wenger will ve problem with that but he ll definitely ve problem with where ll he play and where to put arshavin, walcott, and etc. however thanks for all what u offer us during your time but no one player ever leaves arsenal fc becaused of noise n return as a player again, hleb can u imagine london is even noisy more than ever before and arsenal fc is still in london. hleb save your breath and be with your childhood team barcelona,pls remember the mistake u made by leaving arsene wenger arsenal fc at the time he really needed you thats been ungrateful and the reword for been ungrateful to arsene wenger is regret,thanks, JR
By hillaryson soe jr.. Posted October 11 2009 at 6:47 PM.
he was good at dribbling and nothing eles no end product, couldn't shoot, only score when his shots was deflected. we brought nasari to replace him and score more goals than him in 5 games than his whole stay with us. Overated and got a big headed maybe his ears got bigger too thats why london was too nosiy for him.
By brucie.. Posted October 11 2009 at 6:35 PM.
Am glad Hleb realised his mistakes and surely a point of reference for our young players...I don't believe the professor will consider bringing him back, he made an unhelpful and disrespectful comments about the team, as well as calling for Fab to quit. I loved Hleb's fluidity on the pitch, his drive forward and surely every good feeling a fan develops for a player. This feeling left with him and is gone forever. I hope he learns from this for the future but more significantly, our young players should not take the lessons for granted. They should learn to say no to big money, as well as no to unsettling agents! I hear Gael C is now being lined up in a £16M move by Real Mad so be wise son.
By A. Baker.. Posted October 11 2009 at 6:35 PM.
Am glad Hleb realised his mistakes and surely a point of reference for our young players...I don't believe the professor will consider bringing him back, he made an unhelpful and disrespectful comments about the team, as well as calling for Fab to quit. I loved Hleb's fluidity on the pitch, his drive forward and surely every good feeling a fan develops for a player. This feeling left with him and is gone forever. I hope he learns from this for the future but more significantly, our young players should not take the lessons for granted. They should learn to say no to big money, as well as no to unsettling agents! I hear Gael C is now being lined up in a £16M move by Real Mad so be wise son.
By A. Baker.. Posted October 11 2009 at 6:28 PM.
While most who leave the arsenal become bench warmers, I don't think we can say that about TH14.
Although not the central point of attack anymore he has played a pivotal place in Barca's attack.
By Vic.. Posted October 11 2009 at 5:14 PM.
Alex I can't believe you are saying these things, this is a team where u play week in week out yet you decided to leave without thinking of your proffession rather u thought of emotion, have you seen any player leaving Arsenal the way you did and went on to be more successful? the answer is no, anyway talk to your agent to hook you up with Wenger am sure something positive will come up, goodluck Alex
By Kruzzy Iyalla.. Posted October 11 2009 at 5:13 PM.
londons still the noisy city you lft ,mr helb.that was a stupid reason to leave arsenal.
By jeffrey hemmens.. Posted October 11 2009 at 4:24 PM.
I liked the post: "When leaving Arsenal,players have to realize dat the only thing dat will get better is their salary...everything else will get worse...up until now,i've almost forgot dat he was playin for us...Alex Who??,"
By Chongwe.. Posted October 11 2009 at 4:23 PM.
Alex made his decision leaving Aresnal on emotions. He saw the opportunity to play for a team he has supported all his life and took it. Logic should have told him he wasn't going in to displace Iniesta or Xavi. I loved him at Arsenal for most of the time but I hated the fact that he wouldn't take a shot unless he was facing an open goal and he might still pass the ball at that. He shoulnd't have said most of the stuff he said when he was leaving. I still can't beleive he said London was too noisy and he moved to Barcelona. Funny.
By Chigooner.. Posted October 11 2009 at 4:11 PM.
There is nothing wrong if he [Alex] wants to come back on our terms, he is good quality, has realised his biggest mistake in his life: THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE THAN THE GUNNERS. This could be a lesson for a lot of our young lads. We could have a very good squad and it will give young players time to mature at the right pace , lets grab this opportunity and bring him back for a cut-price sum may be £6-7million is not bad at all though on his day he is worth more than that by far
By Patrick Demawatema.. Posted October 11 2009 at 3:52 PM.
Sorry hleb, we've replaced you, and i dont think you can regain your arsenal form back. You surprised me when you left , but life goes on.
By Muyiwa.. Posted October 11 2009 at 3:34 PM.
I'd love to have him back though. He was a great player.
By Rufus O... Posted October 11 2009 at 3:33 PM.
The gentleman has realised his mistake.Arsene must seriously consider bringing him back to the Emirates
By V.F.CHINHEMA.. Posted October 11 2009 at 2:56 PM.
Alex,
I think your experience leaving arsenal with Flamini will be an education to all othere young arsenal players. Mr. Wenger always go around and find unknown stars in the world, bring them to arsenal and make them stars. but you, Reyes, Flamini are ungrateful humans not to Wenger but to the fans who trusted the manager in what he is trying to do for the club. you are not only ungrateful or have betrayed Wenger, but also the fans. Now here u are regreting. shame on all of you that left us. we still alive n playing well hopefully u gonna regret more when we win the league this season with this young team....
By medpanton.. Posted October 11 2009 at 2:47 PM.
It is too shameful for Helb to Still be expressing his memories when he was with The Gunners. He once told the media that Arsenal was a bunch of team that has too many youngters who can not make a great impact whne it comes to winning trophy. Now that his career is plunged into nightmare, so he talking good things about Arsenal.
By Amos Kiadii.. Posted October 11 2009 at 2:27 PM.
Alex,
I think your experience leaving arsenal with Flamini will be an education to all othere young arsenal players. Mr. Wenger always go around and find unknown stars in the world, bring them to arsenal and make them stars. but you, Reyes, Flamini are ungrateful humans not to Wenger but to the fans who trusted the manager in what he is trying to do for the club. you are not only ungrateful or have betrayed Wenger, but also the fans. Now here u are regreting. shame on all of you that left us. we still alive n playing well hopefully u gonna regret more when we win the league this season with this young team....
By medpanton.. Posted October 11 2009 at 2:36 PM.
Mr. Hleb, I was in tears when u demanded to be transferred to Barca, I want u to remember this today, wherever u find life in soccer with a team, that's your club until death. Let the others learn from this, for example Jose A. Reyes is agood example.
By Robert B. Duyen.. Posted October 11 2009 at 2:10 PM.
U know what they say Mr Hleb... There is no use crying over a spilt milk. But being a human being that I am, I feel sorry for you. Being honest, u and Flamini u've made your beds and know I guess It is time you take a long nap at it. Gunners a shooting even better without both of u and soon to follow in that wall of shame will be Adebayor. You guys must learn that you once make you cake YOU MUST eat it. Sorry Hleb but I think Mr Wenger might have a places for people like u in Emirates Stadium. I heared he is running shot of BallBoys... Just a thought
By menzi.. Posted October 11 2009 at 1:46 PM.
HAHA finally realised what a mistake he made, but you can't say once you've left arsenal you can't still be good, look at henry still playing incredible football, anelka is one of the in-form strikers in the world at the moment, viera still in demand, others like sidwell, bentley, upson, larsson have all gone onto have quite good careers
By Sunny.. Posted October 11 2009 at 1:32 PM.
Hleb had gud attitude n mental strength wit ability 2 penetrate defence, I welcome you bck 2 arsenal
By John Deng-nbi.. Posted October 11 2009 at 12:41 PM.
I thout you would have won all the laurels in the world by quiting arsenal for barca. Forgoting that the patient dog eat the fattest bone, thanks for realising your mistakes but is too late to cry!
By By Femi.. Posted October 11 2009 at 12:41 PM.
When leaving Arsenal,players have to realize dat the only thing dat will get better is their salary...everything else will get worse...up until now,i've almost forgot dat he was playin for us...Alex Who??i only know Andrei Arshavin
By TONY-LOUIS.. Posted October 11 2009 at 12:31 PM.
We could have all told you that.. but not bothered.. eventually (some) players might realise they are not bigger than clubs.. and so it is a privilege for them to play for clubs and not the privilege of clubs to have them play for them.. i will still be watching the mighty gooners when i can barely see and regardless if we win anything in the next ten years i will look back with fondness at what Wenger has done these last few years and the way we played games.. bye bye Hleb off you go into obscurity now...at least you realised
By tobmeister.. Posted October 11 2009 at 12:16 PM.
I have no sympathy for Kleb, but the idea that Henry has not gone on to great things is ludicrous. He won the Champions League wioth Barca and is a regular starter. The move may have started slowly, but he'll now have no regrets. Viera has also had good times as well as bad in Italy.
By Scott Ford.. Posted October 11 2009 at 11:26 AM.
hleb, u r welcome to emirates. when prodigal sons realise their mistakes, they are always forgiven
By bk.. Posted October 11 2009 at 10:27 AM.
hleb when leaving the Gunners you are the same players who did not get Mr Wenger's advice it is good that you have realised that you made a huge mistake thank you for realising
By NAISON SIKOONGO4.. Posted October 11 2009 at 10:11 AM.
When Hleb left Arsenal he thought only of himself. He knew he was letting down Arsene Wenger but that did not stop him. I have respect for Hleb, sympathy No!
By Tom, Romford.. Posted October 11 2009 at 10:13 AM.
both hleb and flamini were idiots. they were key components in a team that was heading for greatness, and they walked away to take up their new jobs as weekly bench-warmers. thanks a lot morons... heading for obscurity the pair of them...
By paul.. Posted October 11 2009 at 10:02 AM.
Didn't Barca win the Champions leaague, no medal eh?
Sour grapes, go back to the (goner)s and still win nothing! ;0) COYS
By GlennAmy.. Posted October 11 2009 at 9:46 AM.
No player has left arsenal and succeeded elsewhere. Remember the likes of flamini, alliadiere, sendero,henry, viera etc n now. U held. We still remember your parting shot n scathing attack. Never burn bridges before you crossm
By majan-mombasa.. Posted October 11 2009 at 9:41 AM.
Wel u ar gud player but dnt fit into our play, u ar 2 sluggish nd dnt ave eyez 4 goal,u nid 2 step up ur game hleb ....barca+til+death
By Adebc.. Posted October 11 2009 at 8:37 AM.
i don't get how you think you can bench Iniesta or Xavi at Barca. oh well guess who is scoring goals for fun not Barca but Gunners.
By TIMMY.. Posted October 11 2009 at 8:09 AM.
Hleb, u ar a great player but could nt believe my ears wen u left. But all d same u cant eat ur cake nd av it.
By Azeez.. Posted October 11 2009 at 7:49 AM.
Save ur breath and stay where u are Hleb u want trophy i thought u ve got some stay wit dat and leave young guns alone.
By Ovikky.. Posted October 11 2009 at 7:51 AM.
Dear Mr. Hleb,
Unlike everyone else here, as a true fan. Thank you very much for all you did for Arsenal. We have missed you and continue to wish you well. We wish you had stayed but as all great teams, we moved on.
By Tony Jsad.. Posted October 11 2009 at 7:38 AM.
Pleb by name and Pleb by nature.
By Chris Metalheadz.. Posted October 11 2009 at 5:56 AM.
What happened to the noisy city jibe that he made to force his way out the door and now it was like he left the garden of eden??? Shame on you kleb, shame!!!
By man against chumps.. Posted October 11 2009 at 2:17 AM.
The grass is not allways greener on the other side.
By Bobby.. Posted October 11 2009 at 2:08 AM.
Serves you right Alex
What an idiot!
By dwayne.. Posted October 11 2009 at 1:11 AM.
Blah, blah, Blah!! I remember when he left & was calling out Fab to join him in Spain, Either way just another ungrateful Baby.
By Matt.. Posted October 10 2009 at 11:58 PM.
All true gooners knew you were making a mistake leaving Arsenal. Why do players always think the grass is greener elsewhere? No player has ever really gone onto better things after leaving Arsenal. When will they learn?
By Russell.. Posted October 10 2009 at 11:44 PM.
The only person that feels sorry for you Alex is yourself. We are a better team without you and we've got an outstanding young CB with the money we got from your sale. Thank you and goodbye.
By Micky.. Posted October 10 2009 at 11:24 PM.