Andrei Arshavin is without doubt Arsenal’s most enigmatic player. Nobody can doubt that when he was first brought to the club he was a World Class player and a signing that caused genuine excitement amongst fans. Why is it then, that almost three years later, there are those who have lost their patience with the little Russian and want him out of the club? Even those who don’t judge the Russian so harshly would have to admit that he’s not fulfilled his potential at the club.
Dennis Bergkamp once proclaimed that Arshavin had ‘every chance of becoming a favourite of the London fans’, yet for too long now, the 30-year-old has been a mediocre presence for the Gunners.
This article is really inspired, by his sparky performance against Swansea City at the weekend. He looked lively throughout, picked out decent passes and jumped on a mistake by the Swan’s goalkeeper to score Arsenal’s first and only goal of the game. He even put in a couple of ‘committed’ tackles. He has a reputation for being rather uncommitted and dare I say, lazy, but he displayed neither quality on Saturday.
So shouldn’t Arsenal be looking to get more out of this man? It strikes me that Arshavin is most at home as a central midfielder. In the past he may have been pushed out wide to accommodate Cesc Fabregas, but now that Cesc has left the club, isn’t it time that Arshavin plays in his favoured position? Arsenal are a club that desperately need to get the most out of the best player’s they currently have.
Why doesn’t Wenger experiment some more with playing Arshavin in the hole behind RVP and another strike partner (perhaps Theo Walcott?). With Arteta and Arshavin pulling the strings in the centre of midfield and Song acting as the defensive anchor, Arsenal should display more creative threat than they have in recent times. The only worry I’d have is about a potential lack of width, but it’s not like Arsenal have been too potent a force down the wings in recent history.
Surely this is an experiment worth pursuing – at least until Jack Wilshere returns in November. Arshavin simply doesn’t have the work rate to cover for his full back. If you’ve seen Arshavin play for Russia, you’ll be in no doubt that he can still work wonders from the centre of midfield. After his display against Swansea City, I’d say that he still has the energy and drive to play an important role for Arsenal – so why not get the most out of him?
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I think the 4-4 draw at Liverpool is still playing in your head. The fact of the matter is, age gas caught up with him, we all go through it.
Giggs is spending time on the bench, Henry could not bury Barcelona in 2006, Viera was poor in his last year, Nobody is dying to sign David Beckam…
Even the russians are fed up with Arshavin’s work rate. We need players who can attack and defend and AA23 doesn’t defend. You should have seen Frimpong rollicking him after he had lost the ball and just lay there as if it was funny.
Selling him is not an option but relying on him to win the league is equally crazy
a player of his ability should be capable of doing it in any position but true out wide too much is expected of him which is not his natural game.putting him in the centre would make alot of sense because he will be able to spray the passes and also use his dribbling to pull people out of position.In addition anyone noticed how secure we look from setpieces they definately been at it.i hope chamberlain plays or even ryo 2moro