Not that it’s going to stop him leaving the Emirates if he and his agent have their way. Alexander Hleb had just started to peak for Arsenal when, all of a sudden, he goes out for an ice cream in Milan and comes back to London with his head full of ideas about playing for Inter. Setanta report that the Belarussian has described the Premier League as the best in the world, although also explains that the poor lamb has found it tough going in England. Who’s going to get the violin out for this millionaire footballer?

“I have learned in England that there is still so much to improve,” said Hleb in Frankfurter Allgemeine.

“I have always dreamed of playing in a great club. Now I have learned that it is not so easy and a lot of work.

“The first year was a killer. I felt very lonely.

“It was clear that The Premier League would be a challenge – but with this pace, I have not expected this.

“The Bundesliga is still a good league, but a season in England feels like two in Germany.

“I will tell you an example: When I was here at the beginning, everything went chop chop, so fast. The pace was madness, even in training.

“I look for the ball in front of me, then where I can play it – when I looked down again the ball was gone.

“The English league is the best league in the world.”

Is this Hleb trying to curry sympathy with Arsenal fans before he says his goodbyes and jumps ship? Real Madrid are now reported to be the front-runner for his signature and it’s hard to see Arsene Wenger keeping the player against his will.