More misery for Wenger as Hleb opens a can of worms

Filed in archive Transfer rumours on July 20, 2008

As if this summer hadn't been bad enough for Arsene Wenger already! With Flamini and Hleb choosing to move on to what they regard as bigger and better things and Emmanuel Adebayor seemingly doing everything he can to get away as well, Wenger could have been forgiven for thinking that things had got as bad as they were going to get.

Then, when Alexander Hleb is unveiled to the fans and media at Barcelona the subject of Cesc Fabregas is mischievously raised by one of the assembled throng of reporters. Hleb's reply which was published on the official Barcelona website will not have filled Arsenal's beleaguered French manager with any joy whatsoever.

Hleb said of his former team-mate, "Fabregas told me lots of things about Barcelona, his time in the academy with players like Pique, Messi and so on. He loves this club, and though he's at Arsenal, who knows, maybe one day he'll come back here."

OK, it doesn't say much but it does create sufficient doubt about Fabregas's committment to Arsenal to raise the issue of whether their midfield talisman would be happy to join the exodus.

Where are all the players at Arsenal coming out strongly in support of their club and their manager. Where are all the players committing their future to the club? Surely a third placed finish in the Premier League and a Champions League quarter-final, together with the third highest wage bill in England and training methods and a style of football second to none are enough to demand loyalty from their top players.

If that loyalty is not there the fans are entitled to know the reasons why.

Ps. The answer to Thursday's quiz question was that Ross Jenkins of Watford was the only player to have played for a team when they were both ninety second in the league and first in the league.

Number of correct answers...0 Better luck later this week.