Arsenal challenge inspires Hleb
Friday 5 August 2005
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Aliaksandr Hleb has brought his midfield prowess to Highbury (©Getty Images)
By Dan Brennan
After a year-long courtship Arsenal FC recently completed the signing of VfB Stuttgart's Aliaksandr Hleb. After five years in the Bundesliga, the playmaker is now relishing the chance to test his talents in "the strongest league in the world" and boost Arsenal's UEFA Champions League prospects.
Seamless transition
Just two minutes into his first match with Arsenal, a pre-season friendly against Barnet FC, he scored his first goal for the club and after a month in London, he is also finding his feet away from the pitch. Having moved into the apartment vacated by the departing Edu, he is being put through a crash course in English, and the signs are that he will slot equally seamlessly into the Arsenal midfield.
Top five
"Arsenal are one of the top five clubs in the world," the 24-year-old Belarus international told uefa.com. "The facilities are fantastic. The team is full of world-class stars. And, they play in a league I rate as the strongest in the world."
Moving up
During his five years with Stuttgart, under Felix Magath and latterly Mattias Sammer, the Belarussian went from teenage unknown to one of the Bundesliga's undisputed stars. But now he believes he has moved up a level, saying: "At Stuttgart I played in the Champions League and finished second in the Bundesliga [in 2002/03]. But last season was one of transition. I felt I needed to move to grow as a player."
Easy decision
Despite long-term interest from Arsenal, Hleb's future was not decided until June, and various other top European clubs were said to be interested, including Real Madrid CF and Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea FC. However, he insists there was only ever one club in it. "I made up my mind a long time ago that this was the next club for me if I had the choice," he said. "I think I have come to the right club at the right time."
Stylistic match
Hleb believes that his new club combine the best of the European and English football worlds. "Arsenal don't actually play a typically English style of football," he said. "Hardly any of their goals come from headers because they keep it on the ground so much. It's my kind of football. I like attacking, entertaining football."
Flexible approach
During Arsenal's pre-season games, Hleb has slotted in on the left side of midfield, with Robert Pires moving into the centre. The versatile Belarussian says he is equally happy anywhere across the middle. He said: "During my time at Stuttgart I played in virtually every position - right and left wing, centre of midfield. So I'll be happy to play wherever I can be useful for the team, and wherever the manager sees a role for me. Modern football requires players at the top level to be flexible."
Lucky 13
At Stuttgart, Hleb eventually inherited the No10 shirt, and playmaker's mantle, of Bulgarian Krassimir Balakov, with whom he had formed a devastating understanding. At Arsenal, he has plumped deliberately for the No13. And the Premiership side will hope that it will bring them luck in Europe.
Winning ambitions
"I know Arsenal are determined to succeed in the Champions League," he said. "Hopefully I can help them win. I'm still young and I've still got plenty to learn. I think under Arsène Wenger there will be plenty of opportunity for that. If you really want something enough and you are prepared to work for it enough, then I think you can achieve it."
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