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Hleb cried after Arsenal’s departure

Former Arsenal star Alexander Hleb has revealed he broke down in tears when ex-boss Arsene Wenger decided to sell him.

Hleb said: “It’s still hard for me to explain why I left Arsenal.

“I was absolutely happy there. Arsene trusted me totally, it was idyllic. And then I decided to leave.

“I was on holiday and agents and managers convinced me that I had to go to Barcelona. To be honest I didn’t really understand what I was doing. At one point I was like, ‘Oh God! I’m leaving Arsenal!’

“When Arsene said it was a matter of hours, I was devastated. It was really hard for me to accept that. Wenger did everything to make me stay at Arsenal.

“He even texted me when I was out fishing. “Alex, I won’t let you go, we need you here.” I cried reading it.”