Arsenal fans have a mixed relationship with Cesc Fabregas, but they can at least agree with his opinion on former teammate Alexander Hleb.
Gunners supporters had to watch on in pain as their hero Fabregas left for Barcelona back in 2011.
Things only got worse when Fabregas returned to London with Arsenal’s rivals Chelsea in 2014.
That move to Barcelona set it all off though, and came just three years after Barca had raided Arsenal for another midfield signing.
In July 2008, Barcelona swooped in to sign midfielder Hleb from Arsenal. With outstanding close control and dribbling ability, you could understand why Barcelona wanted a player like him.
Hleb’s numbers at Arsenal were solid if unspectacular; 10 goals and 18 assists in130 games. With Hleb, it was always more about the beauty of seeing him in full flow.
The Belarusian was a favourite at Arsenal, but it wasn’t really the same at Barcelona.
Hleb only managed 36 appearances for Barca. By the time Fabregas reunited with him in Catalunya, Hleb was a forgotten man at the Camp Nou.
Fabregas hails former Arsenal man Hleb
Hleb’s career tailed off quickly, heading out on loan away from Barcelona, returning to BATE Borisov on numerous occasions and retiring in 2019.
Younger fans may not really know much about Hleb’s brilliance at Arsenal, but he deserves to be remembered fondly.
Fabregas has now taken to Twitter to answer questions from fans, with one asking who is the most under-appreciated teammate he has ever played with in his career.
Fabregas stated that his answer was Hleb, with Arsenal fans loving that answer as they offered rare praise to the Spaniard for proper football knowledge by hailing Hleb.
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