The mystery of Hleb, Eboue and Lehmann (12/5)

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gooner.ed
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The mystery of Hleb, Eboue and Lehmann (12/5)

Post by gooner.ed »

http://www.onlinegooner.com/exclusive/index.php?id=627

usual thread starter… Hleb is actually integral to the way Arsenal play, in terms of his ability to hold onto possession in tight areas and move the ball on quickly. And there are occasional killer balls to create good chances.

A real talent, but with some kind of a mental block when it comes to seizing an opportunity to strike. Too often, on the edge – or even inside – of the box, he chooses to pass instead of strike. As a footballer, he can be a joy to watch in possession, but not enough end product. An excellent symbol of Arsenal this season.

We have scored enough goals (somehow) to have won something, but it’s when you score them that matters. So six against Derby is all well and good, but it’s games you need to win by a single goal that are the difference between silverware and disappointment. Arsenal lost fewer games than Man Utd but had too many draws. March is the month where the title was probably sacrificed, even if Arsenal still had a chance after that.

Would more productive players than Hleb and Eboue have taken us over the line?

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Cornie
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Post by Cornie »

People who constantly looked at Hleb assist stats are missing the point. The amount of assists are for goals scored. He has created plenty of assists that have not been converted and as such the stats are a poor reflection of his exceptional eye of the needle passes. Losing Hleb would be a huge blow to the team. Yes his goal ratio is poor but he brings other aspects to the game that are vital to the team. Ask any player at the clb and I bet they would not want him to leave, particularly our front men.

GIJ
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Post by GIJ »

I actually couldn't agree more with hleb the legend. Hleb is the most underrated player in our team. He doesn't score, he doesn't get loads of assists but he is THE biggest creative talent in our team. He finds the passes noone else does always. If he leaves, we'll have to spend BIG bucks to replace him, SO KEEEP HIM PLEASE WENGER!

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G-Man
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Post by G-Man »

GIJ wrote:He finds the passes noone else does always. If he leaves, we'll have to spend BIG bucks to replace him, SO KEEEP HIM PLEASE WENGER!
as much as i want Hleb to stay, he has the right to Buy his contract out for £3m. and if he wants to do that and leave the club i say let him. Having a player at the club who doesnt want to be will only do more harm than good.

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Cornie
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Post by Cornie »

G-Man wrote:
GIJ wrote:He finds the passes noone else does always. If he leaves, we'll have to spend BIG bucks to replace him, SO KEEEP HIM PLEASE WENGER!
as much as i want Hleb to stay, he has the right to Buy his contract out for £3m. and if he wants to do that and leave the club i say let him. Having a player at the club who doesnt want to be will only do more harm than good.
True he does have the right to buy out his contract or express a desire to leave the club. That is not my issue. mine is the fact that most people on the forum (and others) can't wait to see him go. If he does go he will be missed by the team and by me. If he wants to go he will but if he wants to stay I for one will be very happy.

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Post by Jumpers For Goalposts »

This kid is so funny - I think he's after your job Kev!!

I agree with him entirely about Eboue & Lehmann but where Hleb is concerned I'm on Alex's side. Yes he is a frustrating player and I've lost count of the times I've screamed "FOR GOD'S SAKE SHOOT YOU SCRUFFY BA***RD" either at him in person or the telly.

But - Alex is the most technically astute player I have ever seen; his close control is better even than Kanu's. Who remembers Hleb's inch perfect pass for Rosick-note's goal at Anfield (Jan 07) or the way he left Hahnemann on his arse at the Madjeski this season? To replace him will cost us between £10 - 20million in the current market.

What Alex needs is a long chat with Arsene, during which he is told in no uncertain terms that the grass will not be greener elsewhere. And whilst he's at it, Arsene could try to do with Alex what he did with a certain Thierry Henry 9 years ago i.e. turn a frustrating underachiever into a world beater.

The best player in the Premier League is without a doubt Ronaldo (God that was hard to type!!) but 2 years ago he was a diving, cheating, fancy dan ponce with a Hollyoaks haircut who sometimes looked good but added sod all to United's team. He is still a diving, cheating, fancy dan ponce but from nowhere he turned his flicks and tricks into 40 goals a season.

I'd much rather keep Hleb because with just a bit of fine tuning, he can be a key member of a trophy winning team. And because it is a better option than spending millions on a player with no Premier League experience.

chriscatchpole
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ambivalence

Post by chriscatchpole »

I'm in two minds about Hleb. Leaving aside his obvious desire to leave, I cant help but have doubts over what he actually brings to the side on a consistent basis. Occasionally he had been a revelation, othertimes a waste of a player on the pitch

Now consistency has hardly been our watchword this season, but i'm struggling to see how playing twinkle toes footie on the edge of the box before dawdling and getting caught in possession allowing the opposition to launch a counter attack adds a great deal to the team. We have a first team (and a couple of back ups) of pretty awesome ability and a football brain to boot.

Hleb cannot

beat a man for pace/acceleration
tackle
shoot
head
pass more than 5 feet in front of him.
take a direct free kick


not great for a winger/playmaker

sure I'd be happy if he stays I dont want him to leave, but Eboue aside (and before senderos) he'd be the player I'd be least sad about leaving. Out wide on the right he cuts into the middle too much when the fullback closes him down.

In the hole, he will make 1 or 2 absolutely killer passes per game and lose the ball 3 times as often. He is no use defending or attacking set pieces. His shooting has been discussed ad nauseum.

In three seasons, where he cost more than Theo Walcott, we have had half a good season out of him.

getting 3 million for him now is better then getting nothing for him in two years and having to shell out for his wages and bonuses in the meantime if he continues to perform in the lacklustre way he has for so long.

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Post by QuartzGooner »

The key to Hleb being productive, is having players around him who are tuned in to how he plays.

I believe this means we need two midfielders who will frequently run into the penalty area, to make the most of Hleb's short passsing game.

I do not think it means we have to go and buy new players for this purpose, rather that we have to make sure the current players are fully tuned in to this.

Hleb is majestically able to hold the ball up until a suitable opening awaits.
He can also create an opening through astute passing.

BUT the big problem has been that for much of last season, and for a noticeable amount of the second half of this season, Helb had no one in an obvious position to pass to.
The rest of the team were too far behind, lagging in midfield.

So Hleb ends up holding onto the ball, doing his trickery, and eventually getting tackled.

Sure, he can shoot a bit more himself, but with a decent outlet he can play to his strengths and be close to Cesc at the top of the assist table.

chriscatchpole
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short passing

Post by chriscatchpole »

point taken, but given that he runs into trouble on the edge of the box, where teams traditionally defend against us, he cant pass forward to anyone because they'd be offside.

he seems to have tunnel vision at times and when a quick turn or backheel would be advantageous he still tries to run through 3 defenders. I just dont think he has the lightning quick football brain and awareness required when he plays playmaker, or the wide-player mentality out on the wing.

making hleb the focal point of the team to accomodate his (acknowledged) close game would be to do an injustice on the rest of the squad who are greater/better team players

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