Alexsandr Hleb wishes he could go back in time and rebuff Barcelona to stay with Arsenal.
The midfielder quit the Gunners ten years ago to try his luck in Spain.
But he has spoken for the first time about his move to the Nou Camp in 2008, just three seasons after joining the Premier League club.
He says he regrets packing his bags – and wishes he could turn back the clock.
In an interview with the Telegraph, the now BATE Borisov man, 37, says he couldn’t fulfil his potential with the Spanish giants.
He was back in London on Thursday night playing against Chelsea in the 3-1 Europa League defeat.
"Looking back now, it was a mistake signing for Barcelona," he said.
"I lost my best years. I made some errors and I was never able to show my best."
He also spoke about his special friendship with Gunners great Thierry Henry – and how he and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola didn’t see eye to eye.
"He (Henry) offered me a spare room in his house," explained Hleb, who caused frustration when he left north London a decade ago.
"We watched Arsenal’s games together. I wanted to play and I was annoyed because Guardiola wouldn’t put me on.
"Later, I realised that it was my fault."
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