Hleb [R]

[martymarts]

So, while I'm gradually accepting the idea that Cesc can thrive in the rough and tumble of the Prem, I also have to admit my early doubts about Hleb are diminishing. Some passes are still under hit and sometimes he still holds the ball longer than I'd like, but, he is beginning to look a player who could be one of our key play-makers over the next few years; and having a guy who can actually dribble past players is not a bad plan B for out smarting the 4-5-1?

IMHO, like the rest of the team, he has gradually improved over the last 6 weeks and was possibly our best player against the Addicks? I actually think I'll be disappointed if we don't get past Juve! :D

[Cannon]

Try not to give away results unless the thread has an [R], ok? I changed the thread title for that reason.

I agree that Hleb has really come on in recent weeks. He seems to be getting the Prem and playing a more complete game than I'd have thought possible a couple of months ago.

[GoonerMan]

i agree, he has started to look quality lately. when hes got the ball sometimes its like its stuck to his feet and they cant get it off him. once he is a bit stronger and adapted to the prem he wil be quality mark my words. i just hope he doesnt lose his dribbling and holding up qualities in order to adapt to our slick passing game which is a posibilty

[OklahomaGunner]

You give me Hleb or Cesc turning up field at the midline with Adebayor and Henry flanking them...I expect goals and as of late, it is happening.

Hleb was a guy I was really liking prior to his injury, and I'm glad his run in the side is going so well now. As the midfield has come together, it's amazing how much better the team is playing.

[Aussie_gunner_14]

hmmm, i was just about to start a thread like this, what ive seen, hleb has risen his game greatley, he performed well vs madrid, that game(s) were a european style so that suited him, but he seems to be adapting to the physical side of the prem.

ill be watching the charlton game later so ill be back to say what i thought of him from that, but from what ive heard its all good!!!:)

[InTheSun]

He's also increasingly getting better on the defensive side, tracking back and helping the fullback and winning balls. He's been great the last four or five games.

[HubGunner]

IMO some of his problems have been caused by the smaller pitch at Highbury.

[No1ArsenalFan]

He's also increasingly getting better on the defensive side, tracking back and helping the fullback and winning balls. He's been great the last four or five games.

I think thats down to him and Eboue having a really good understanding of how each other play. They suit each others style of player almost like dare I say it Neville and Beckham when they were both at the Red Pretzels and currently for England. Do you guys think Hleb and Eboue's partnership is as good as if not better than Neville and Beckham's?

I rate Lauren highly but if Eboue carries on the way he is playing (let's face it he's going to get better) and Wenger plays Hleb more and more on the right wing then Lauren better watch out. However, if Wenger plays Ljungberg instead i think he will have to play Lauren beause I don't think Eboue and Ljungberg play as well together as Eboue and Hleb and I also don't think Hleb plays as well together with Lauren as he does with Eboue (if that makes sense).

No1ArsenalFan aka Rich Smith

[Gooner_for_Life]

I love Hleb, and i have all along. All you doubters are starting to turn around. I saw potential in him and then unfortunately he got a significant injury. He adds a different dynamic to our game, he can run at people and take them on which is good, it compliments our passing game. Infact he kinda reminds me of Henry just in the midfield. Every once in awhile Henry goes for the solo effort (liverpool last year ring a bell for anyone.) I like how Hleb does the same thing sometimes and by doing that he creates space for others. I think in the future as he grows more into the team he can run into the box and then give the final ball for lots of goals.

[jegerpenge]

Try not to give away results unless the thread has an [R], ok? I changed the thread title for that reason.

I agree that Hleb has really come on in recent weeks. He seems to be getting the Prem and playing a more complete game than I'd have thought possible a couple of months ago.

Where did he give away the result?

[antifan]

According to Le Boss: (from Arsenal.com)

on the partnership of Eboue and Hleb...
"I felt that always Hleb was more comfortable on the right, and I knew that Eboue, at some stage will have to be given a chance, you know? The fact that Lauren got injured means it came a little bit earlier than maybe expected. Naturally Hleb can fix the opponent and wait for somebody to come from behind and give him the ball, and that works quite well with Eboue because he likes to go forward, and he has that kind of penetrative power in the final third."

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=371957&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=Ars%26egrave;ne+Wenger:+%27We+were+always+on+top+of+the+game%27

[footykid]

Anyone have a link with his goal.

[49unbeaten]

hleb was always the kind of player who would need time to adjust to the english game....and i think its starting come and hopfully it will help put us in the CL next year

[michaec]

Some passes are still under hit and sometimes he still holds the ball longer than I'd like...Exactly my thoughts, but he's been a lot better in recent weeks. Hopefully his improved play will continue until the end of the season, then we'll have real competition for the wide right position with Hleb, Ljungberg and possibly Walcott which can only be a good thing for Arsenal.

[ibby]

I have to admit Hleb surpassed my exceptations for him, i thought he was going to be like veron ( not performing well in the EPL but excellent in europe)

[GoonerMan]

According to Le Boss: (from Arsenal.com)

on the partnership of Eboue and Hleb...
"I felt that always Hleb was more comfortable on the right, and I knew that Eboue, at some stage will have to be given a chance, you know? The fact that Lauren got injured means it came a little bit earlier than maybe expected. Naturally Hleb can fix the opponent and wait for somebody to come from behind and give him the ball, and that works quite well with Eboue because he likes to go forward, and he has that kind of penetrative power in the final third."

[/URL]

i also think that Hleb could work well with kerrea gilbert because he likes to fly forward and overlap like eboue, but eboue seems more of a powerful player

[smilyfs]

Agree with all of the above. But one thing I think Hleb has learnt was to actually take a shot when he is open!!!
See Alex if you take a shot you might score like you did yesterday!!!!! :eek:
He may still give balls away cheaply but i like how he tracks back and sticks to the player he loses the ball to. Thats character.

[ua322]

I love Hleb. I liked what I saw in his earlier games but then he got kinda bogged down. I really felt like the injury layoff maybe benefitted him in that he was forced to sit on the sidelines and just study the tactics of opposing EPL teams and how our players interact with each other on the pitch.

When he came back, it just seems like he had a greater clarity in what role he needed to play on this club.

[KozIsCul]

i agree, he has started to look quality lately. when hes got the ball sometimes its like its stuck to his feet and they cant get it off him. once he is a bit stronger and adapted to the prem he wil be quality mark my words. i just hope he doesnt lose his dribbling and holding up qualities in order to adapt to our slick passing game which is a posibilty

I love Hleb. He's better than Reyes, stronger on the ball, and plays defense. Really, he's about the same as Henry, minus 20 some goals a year of course (details, details).

[gunner0007]

Well, having scored a goal, hes gained some confidence now. He looks more relaxed on the ball also, may give away the ball sometimes on a pass, but is learning very quickly. He's going to be even better next season. Hope Wenger is having him shoot like mad on the training pitch.