Arsenal can win the treble this season - they are tearing teams apart, says former Gunner Alexander Hleb

Treble tilt: Hleb fell just short of Champions League glory in 2006 but he thinks Arsenal can go further this year
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James Benge6 October 2016

Arsenal have the qualities required to win the treble this season, according to their former playmaker Alexander Hleb.

After losing their opening game of the season at home to Liverpool Arsenal have rallied in impressive fashion – they have dropped points in just one of their last eight games, and that was a highly creditable draw away to Paris St Germain.

That point in France, coupled with a convincing 2-0 win over Basel last month, has Arsenal well set to top their Champions League group, theoretically handing them a more favourable draw as they bid to end six straight seasons in which they have been eliminated in the competition’s first knockout round.

Hleb believes his former side can go even further than just winning one tie and sees in this Arsenal squad the ability to compete and succeed aross multiple fronts.

“Wenger always sets the highest goals,” Hleb told Reuters. “He has managed to keep his key players and they are playing great football. They are tearing everyone apart.

“I hope the team will win three trophies this season – the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. This Arsenal side certainly has the ability and I will really be supporting them.”

The Belarusian midfielder, now 35, never won a trophy during his time at Arsenal, coming closest in 2006 when he was part of the side defeated in the Champions League by Barcelona.

Hleb would ultimately depart the Emirates to move to the Nou Camp and work with Pep Guardiola. However the transfer was not a success as he struggled for game time and was frequently shipped out on loan. He now admits he regrets leaving Arsene Wenger.

“I was playing at the top of my game in London and it was the best moments of my career,” he added. “In my first season we got to the Champions League final. We lost, but I remember this final more than the other one when I won with Barcelona in 2009, but I didn’t play.

Ten events that defined Arsene Wenger's Arsenal reign

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“On the one hand I regret that I did not stay at Arsenal. Wenger was like a father to me and trusted me. I get sad when I start to think about this.

“On the other hand, Barcelona was and still is the strongest club. I did not play that often, but I still got game time.”

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