View Full Version : Who was the better player for Arsenal - Pires, Ljungberg or Hleb?
revelationx
12 Dec 2008, 11:58 AM
I am having a discussion about Hleb elsewhere. Can Arsenal fans list the players they think were the best for Arsenal in terms of
a) goal scoring threat
b) ability to create chances
c) overall ball skill
d) if they could choose one at their peak who would they pick?
The players in question are Hleb, Pires and Ljungberg.
I would say
a) Pires, Ljungberg Hleb
b) Pires Ljungberg Hleb
c) Pires Hleb Ljungberg
d) Pires
What do you think?
juanca
12 Dec 2008, 12:06 PM
Wait a minute, Who are the 3 options again?
Robert Pires
Freddie Ljunberg
Alexandre Hleb
revelationx
12 Dec 2008, 12:09 PM
Wait a minute, Who are the 3 options again?
Robert Pires
Freddie Ljunberg
Alexandre Hleb
Yes. Those three. Who was the best in an Arsenal shirt and if you could pick only one (at their peak) who would you choose?
Bluto11
12 Dec 2008, 12:11 PM
Pires on all accounts for me
TheArgonaut
12 Dec 2008, 12:16 PM
Pires
wanye_stirrear
12 Dec 2008, 12:20 PM
It's not really close. Pires gets first on everything (maybe a push with Hleb on creating chances). Ljunberg is second in categories A and D and third in categories B and C.
SLO-Gunner
12 Dec 2008, 12:27 PM
Bobby Pyres on all three counts hand down followed by Freddie. Hleb in a very distant third.
And_ROOS
12 Dec 2008, 01:38 PM
Wait... Hleb a goal scoring threat? Since when did running into the box then passing it make you a threat?
He would probably have backpassed a penalty, thats why we never let him take one.
TheImposter
12 Dec 2008, 01:45 PM
I am having a discussion about Hleb elsewhere. Can Arsenal fans list the players they think were the best for Arsenal in terms of
a) goal scoring threat
b) ability to create chances
c) overall ball skill
d) if they could choose one at their peak who would they pick?
The players in question are Hleb, Pires and Ljungberg.
I would say
a) Pires, Ljungberg Hleb
b) Pires Ljungberg Hleb
c) Pires Hleb Ljungberg
d) Pires
What do you think?
In the "elsewhere" in which the discussion is taking place, is there actually any debate about this? Seems like a slam-dunk to me, at least amongst Arsenal fans.
revelationx
12 Dec 2008, 01:54 PM
In the "elsewhere" in which the discussion is taking place, is there actually any debate about this? Seems like a slam-dunk to me, at least amongst Arsenal fans.
Well Phil80 has claimed that Hleb was better at creating chances and more skillful than Pires was while at Arsenal. I said otherwise and claimed that most Arsenal fans would agree with me. This thread is to see if BS Arsenal fans rate Hleb, Pires or Ljungberg in an Arsenal shirt the most.
n4100
12 Dec 2008, 02:11 PM
Superrrrrrrr, Super Bob, Suppperrrr, Super Bob.....
Silva 5
12 Dec 2008, 04:35 PM
Pires probably ranks top in each category and Ljungberg certainly is ahead of Alex in goal scoring threat, but Hleb is terribly underrated on this message board.
He's doesn't have an eye for goal, so everyone is quick to throw him out the window, but there's so much more to the game than just scoring and Hleb offered an immense amount of everything else to our midfield and attack.
At the moment our squad struggles with dominating the midfield in high pressure situations, something that we were able to do much more easily last season when we had Rosicky and Hleb because of their superb first touch, ball control, quick movement and crisp passing.
I wonder what sort of response Hleb would get had we won something last year and were truly unlucky not to.
Val1
12 Dec 2008, 04:51 PM
I, like Silva 5, and a small band of others, really, really appreciate what Hleb brought to the team. Quality ballplayer. And we all loved Freddie. He wasn't technically gifted, but he played hard, moved into space well, and had a real understanding with Bergkamp.
But, while they are class, Pires was for a 3 year or so run with Arsenal, one of the most impactful players in the world. He was world class, and I use that term very, very carefully. His 2002 season (which is the season that digital cable came to my small town, and subsequently the first season I watched) was amazing. I think it is the best season an Arsenal player has had in the premiership. Pires, by any of your measures, was the superior Arsenal player.
goonsquad
12 Dec 2008, 07:50 PM
Superrrrrrrr, Super Bob, Suppperrrr, Super Bob.....
Well said...is there really any comparison?
antifan
12 Dec 2008, 08:17 PM
I guess you could make an argument for Hleb on (c) overall ball skill. He did have amazing control. But then if you count shooting as a ball skill that one goes out the window.
The other categories are absolute no brainers.
mintone
13 Dec 2008, 03:23 AM
I agree with anti. Hleb's close control and passing are world class. His shooting and decision-making? Not so much.
LeGooner
13 Dec 2008, 04:01 AM
Superrrr Bobbyyyyy all the way
Lanesra
13 Dec 2008, 04:40 AM
Wait... Hleb a goal scoring threat? Since when did running into the box then passing it make you a threat?
He would probably have backpassed a penalty, thats why we never let him take one.
Surely no one would be that stupid?
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YMJr3xo8-AU
Silva 5
13 Dec 2008, 05:13 AM
Ohh nOO!! I wanted to rep you for that Lanesra, shit.
juanca
13 Dec 2008, 06:27 AM
Does hleb have any moments that we as Fans will ever remember?
He was very influential in alot of our game play, and setting up beautiful plays and i appreciate that, but Hleb as a player himself, did very little. Perhaps that stuff goes unnoticed, and you can call me out on that, but thats Football.
People dont usually remember the guy who made the nice cut back pass or back hell, but the guy who finished the move off.
In that regards, and i personally have many other but ill keep them to myself, Pires Wins by a Landslide.
Ljunberg gets a solid 2nd place.
As for hleb, i could care less and wont even place him. he had his few years at arsenal, did his thing, and moved on, so thats that.