Hleb 'has made up his mind' to leave Arsenal
Thursday, 10 Jul 2008 11:30
Alexander Hleb says he has "made up [his] mind" to leave Arsenal
Midfielder Alexander Hleb says he has "made up [his] mind" that he will leave
Arsenal this summer, with a move to Barcelona rumoured to be close.
The Belarusian international has been with the Gunners since joining from Stuttgart for a reported £11.2 million fee in 2005 and scored ten goals in 130 appearances for the club.
But he has claimed he is "mentally tired" from living in London and wants to leave for a more laid-back lifestyle - with Catalunya looking to be his preferred destination.
"I am not happy with life in Britain, to be honest," Hleb said in an interview in Russia.
"Elements of day-to-day life may prevent me in future from playing a full part with my team here.
"I can't get used to the chaotic way of life in London, where everyone is racing around 24 hours a day. It is uncomfortable and I'm mentally tired."
Hleb also says he has spoken to Arsene Wenger about his future on more than one occasion and admitted his manager was "not happy".
But he continued: "I feel I can't keep squeezing enough out of myself to satisfy a team like Arsenal.
"As a professional, I honestly told Wenger that at our two recent meetings where I was seeking his advice on whether I should leave.
"I made no secret that some leading European clubs were interested in me and Wenger wasn't happy about that.
"But serious negotiations are under way now. I have made up my mind."