Alexander Hleb blames himself for his lack of success at Barcelona when he moved there from Arsenal in 2008.

The midfielder played in 130 games during his three years at Arsenal. He scored 10 goals and assisted 16 after being played in the centre, the wing and then behind the striker, Robin van Persie.

READ MORE: Hleb admits regret at leaving Arsenal

The fans liked him because although his stats weren’t through the roof, he always worked hard for the team.

When he left for Barcelona for €15m + add ons, it didn’t go down too well and Gooners took great pleasure in the fact that, once he left north London, Hleb’s career more or less tanked.

Although he featured in 19 La Liga matches during his first season with the Catalans, he only played 90 minutes three times and continued to be plagued by injuries.

The following season, Hleb was loaned out to his former club, Stuttgart, then Birmingham and finally Wolfsburg before Barca finally sold him to Krylia Sovetov Samara in 2012.

Hleb, now 35, admits that although he doesn’t regret the move to Spain, he blames himself for not seizing the opportunity while he had the chance.

“I had everything to develop and play regularly,” he said. “Everything that happened is purely my fault. I took things too easily, my character prevented me from progressing.

“Instead of working hard I was too often grudging at the coach’s decisions.”

Hindsight is always 20/20, Alex.

READ MORE: Hleb admits regret at leaving Arsenal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUDY4xgKZ1Q