I am still a little sad by the departure of Alex Hleb to Barcelona last night. I knew he was going, it was only a matter of time but when it finally happens it is all so final

I may not have tears streaming down my face, I slept well last night but I am still a little sad by the departure of Alex Hleb to Barcelona last night. I knew he was going, it was only a matter of time but when it finally happens it is all so final. He wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea but from his first competitive match for Arsenal (I think) against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge when he played wide left and produced a composed technical display which lead to him grabbing the Sky sports man of the match award I knew that I would like Mr Hleb.

But he didn’t score goals, what use is a midfield player who doesn’t score!

True, especially after having someone like Robert Pires or Freddie Ljungberg in your side. Attacking midfield players need to score goals but it does not take away the contribution that Hleb made to the side in other areas of the pitch. This new generation of Arsenal players hold possession more than any other before it. I would love to see the opta stats on that as it goes. We scored goals by having the ball, one big reason for us having the ball so much was because of Alex Hleb. His uncanny ability to turn away from an opposition player with his first touch was superb. I little like the way Zidane used to. And no, I am not comparing the two.

£11.9 million going to £15 million is good money for a player who we bought for less than that in 2005.

Arsene has had his say on the departure of his creative player.

“We are comfortable with our decision to let him go and we are all looking forward to continuing our preparations for the new season ahead,” said Wenger. “Everyone at Arsenal wishes Alex the best of luck for the future.”

Not quite sure what ‘comfortable with our decision’ means, just like I am not quite sure what Hleb meant when he said that Arsene may be happy to see him leave (don’t quote me on that) or whatever it was. Arsene will be hoping that Nasri who is likely to be Hleb’s replacement although I see him playing from the left more than from the right, will hit the ground running. Although I see Nasri as more a player to replace Rosicky than Hleb. Walcott could be seen as Hleb’s direct replacement as he should start the season wide right. Walcott will not give us that possession or midfield control that Hleb gave but he will give us that directness that we have missed. Walcott should give us impressive stats rather than performance. He will assist a lot and score 10-15 goals if he is a first team fixture from the right something that Hleb would never give. Walcott will make the game easier for Cesc.

Hleb’s departure could well see Arsenal adjust in style a little, we could be a little more like the 2003 Arsenal side. A team that can keep the ball and BANG 5 seconds later Cesc, Walcott and Vela could tear through sides. Last seasons team couldn’t do that.

So three outfield players out (Flamini, Hleb, Gilberto ) and three outfield players in (Ramsay, Nasri, Vela) it looks like we are weaker at this stage as the players in are all unproven in the top flight of English football but the positive is that the squad are all 1 year older. Song could be like a new signing. Van Persie and Rosicky are due some good luck, at least one of them surely.

It is a shame that Tomas Rosicky will not make the start of the season as I’m sure Arsene would have wanted to bring in Nasri slowly and get him adjusted before he bloods him but with Rosicky out we may well have to field him unless Eboue is still in the managers sights.

Looking forward to getting a glimpse of certain players in the friendly on Saturday. Ramsay, Vela, Walcott, Denilson and Wilshere are the players I am interested in. I hope they all start together although I expect Wilshere to make a later introduction.

Oh and Arshavin is back in love with Barcelona again!

Right, time to go. Back tomorrow. Comment away in the comments section called comments.

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