Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport
Former Arsenal star Alexander Hleb has said his time at the club was “the happiest stage of my life” and called Arsene Wenger his “biggest influence” as he “got the best out of every player”.
Former Barcelona midfielder Hleb, 38, made the comments in an interview with Spanish agency ‘Efe’ shortly after announcing he was ending his 22-year career at the premiere of a two-part film based on his career called ‘Our Hleb’ in the Belarussian capital city of Minsk.
The former Arsenal star said: “I am tired. My body does not recuperate like it used to but I love football. As soon as I see a match on television, I start missing it.”
When reflecting on his career, Hleb said: “Arsenal was the happiest stage of my life. Working with (Arsene) Wenger is the best thing that could have happened.”
Hlbe went on to call Wenger, 70, the “biggest influence” on his career adding that “he appreciated and supported each player individually. He got the best out of every player.”
Wenger managed Arsenal between 1996 and 2018, making him the longest-serving manager in the club’s history and with three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups, their most-successful.
When speaking about his friendship with Spanish international Cesc Fabregas, 32, during their time at Arsenal Hleb said: “Cesc has been a friend since then.
“We are still in contact. He loves football like me. He is happy at Monaco.”
The Belarus icon made a move to Barcelona in 2008 after his time at Arsenal but struggled to get minutes. He said: “It was entirely my fault, not Guardiola’s.
“He did everything possible for me to help me adapt to the country and the club quickly and to learn the language. I acted like an idiot. The group was really good.”
However, despite his struggles at the club, Hleb admitted that “training with them was incredible”.
Looking back at his 22 years playing professional football, he said: “I had a great career. I made a few mistakes but I keep the good memories from all the clubs.
“Barcelona was the best club in the world and I was very happy at Arsenal.”
Finally, when speaking about his future, Hleb said: “I want to help develop football in Belarus. I see other small countries that grow and manage to get results.”
Hleb is considered to be one of the best players to ever come out of Belarus and won the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2008.
He also played at Birmingham City and German side VfB Stuttgart before ending his career at Belarussian top-flight FC Isloch Minsk Raion.
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