Alex Hleb has finally made his final decision on his future and has decided to call time on his Arsenal career. Hleb's agent Niki Spilevski has broken the news and confirmed that after crunch talks with Arsene Wenger Hleb will now seek pastures new:
“I can officially confirm that a short time ago Alexander decided that he will leave Arsenal and join another club,” he said. “Of course Arsenal and Arsene wanted him to stay but they have accepted the player’s choice.”
“That is his choice,” he said. “He has understood that the right time has come for him to make a change. “Alex has spent three good seasons at Arsenal and he wasn’t sure he could maintain the same level that he has been showing if he stayed."
“It’s also true that he felt uncomfortable off the field. Alexander wants a change of scene. That’s had a large part to play in his decision. “Alex informed the club of his desire to move to another club.”
“We are not using article 17 of the FIFA rule,” he said. “I can’t tell you anything about where he will be playing yet."
“Talks are underway, and I don’t have the right to make them public. I think that the issue of his new club will be clarified in the next few days.”
Look's pretty certain Arsenal will be without the Belarussian going into the new season. While his lack of goals won't be missed, his ability to unlock defences, pick out the right pass at the right time will certainly be.
This reminds me a bit of J.A Reyes's situation a few years back, I guess Hleb want's a change of atmosphere and one cant help but respect that, however for me the show goes on without him and the search for his replacement officially begins.
Nasri looks like he's definately in but not as a replacement for Hleb as we are still short in numbers on the wide front. With Rosicky's injury problem's persisting Wenger surely knows he can't take any chances. Expect another attacking player arriving in the summer.
