After a blistering start to his Premier League career, patience seems to be running low for Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin. The lack of application, the seemingly nonchalant way he treats his professional career and a distinct lack of form has culminated in just one goal in his last thirty five Premier League outings.
Gervinho’s trip to the African Cup of Nations was supposed to offer Arshavin a chance for him to prove his worth, but things don’t exactly seem to be going to plan. A sparky performance against Leeds aside he has been his usual ineffective self.
Now reports suggest that Arsenal have turned down a £3m bid from Zenit Saint Petersberg for the little Russian (Source: The Metro). £3m would represent a massive loss on the £17m that Arsenal originally spent bringing Arshavin to the club, but the Gunners are said to be willing to sell for around £6m (Source: The Guardian).
Are there Premier League clubs that could benefit from picking up Arshavin at this price. Whilst it’s clear he’s playing far from his best football, his talent is beyond question. It’s just a question of him having the right motivation to recover his fitness and form.
When he’s at his best he can run rings around defenders, has remarkable technical ability and can nab goals.
With Downing and Kuyt not producing the goods, Arshavin could represent a cut-price alternative at Liverpool. What’s more, Arshavin has scored goals against Liverpool for fun, who would bet against him scoring regularly for the Reds?
Besides at just £6m, it scarcely matters if Arshavin fails to meet with success at Liverpool. The Reds could just sell him on (I’m sure Zenit would still be interested) at a small loss in a year’s time.
It’s all a matter of giving somebody who’s gone off the boil a chance to shine again. Of reigniting someone’s belief. It could well be that Liverpool is the right place for Arshavin to ‘find himself’ once more and in turn help the Reds achieve a top four slot.
It may well be a gamble, but as gambles go, it’s a relatively inexpensive one. It’s clear Arsenal are willing to sell and if Liverpool bite, they may well pick up a bargain.
What’s your take? Is Arshavin past it? Could he still perform at the top level?
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I agree that it wouldnt be a bad play to make a move for Arshavin. He clearly has lost his motivation at Arsenal and if there is one player that could use a change of scenary, it would be him. The question is, would Arsenal really sell him to Liverpool even at fair market value, highly doubt that. On his day, he is more technically sound than alot of players and he certainly look a shell of him from a couple seasons ago. I think that he is worth a look in but i highly doubt that he is even on KD radar…
Arshavin has a great deal of respect for the Liverpool fans and has come out more then once saying nice things about them. He loves Anfield so why not besides he cnt be any worse then Carroll or Downing lol
read this n theres plenty more on the web for Arshavin’s comments regarding LFC
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/11/17/1630575/andrey-arshavin-arsenal-fans-can-learn-from-liverpools
Liverpool should leave this guy well alone. Go for someone younger with great potential. Not an Arsenal reject.
Nice deal, but why go for a bargain man when you don’t have to? Would Utd or Chelsea buy Arshavin – No, because if they pay more they can get better. And now, finally, after years of being outmuscled financially and forcing Rafa to trawl for good-but-not-great players just because they’re cheap, so can we.
noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
I second, third, and fourth that.
Shockingly poor the last three seasons saw him at the emirates.
He dont even look shell of his former self.
He is a shell of pub team player.
No fitness, cant run.
Cant defend.
And most importantly has not looked like he cared for the last two years…….
i don’t know why some1 will just start writing or suggesting that will should go foe a player that another club is rejecting. if he is that good why would they want to let him go. you and i know that this player is expired in the EPL so why on earth will you even think of such a player. Pls there are better younger players out there.
Arshavin is very lazy and snatches at every chance, yes his stats may look at the end of season but his consistency is extremely frustrating. He always has a poor game even when he scores or makes an assist. The night he scored 4 at Anfield he only touched the ball 4 times all game.
I agree.. NO!! He is lazy and has wrong attitude.
If Arshavin retains his SHIT form then he is perfect for Liverpool. After all, no other club has a stable of mediocre footballers than Anfield. Having acquired a donkey (Carroll), and some mules (Henderson, Downing & Adam) to complement his inherited jackasses (Carragher & Lucas), Dalglish still has room for a couple of pure SHITE. Bravo King Kenny!
He’s been a good player and I’m sure has more in him, but I can’t see any sanity in trying increase goals by buying someone who hasn’t been scoring. And when did FSG change their policy to accommodate 30 year olds?
Dumb idea!
>If going by what Kenny has stated this last week about more bite needed and wants a top four finish this guy is not it.The only way Liverpool will get a top four this year is that if they buy one player with all the right signs,he is TEVEZ for get any other play becuase there is not another player at this present time that Liverpool need more than this guy.This guy won the title for MU on his own and took City to a top four place no one else and the way that he was treated by both MU & City who could blame him for what he done LIVERPOOL GO AND GET TEVEZ IF YOU WANT MORE SLIVERWEAR.
Let me rephrase the words a wise man once said. Form is temporary, talent and skill are permanent. Undoubtedly he has the talent and the skill so anything less than £10M is a bargain. He is a player of quality and good touch with the ability to use both of his feet just as well as each other. Last season his assists were exceptional and as a winger you shouldn’t expect anything more from him. I still believe Wenger should play him as a poacher role, in the striker position because it worked well at zenit. My feeling is Wenger needs someone with physical presence looking at Chamakh and bendtner, he’s not looking for pace, but that is where he is going wrong. If he goes to liverpool i will write him a “nice” letter on his official website ;). RUSSIAN GOOOONER!
Do whatever u want sell him or leave him am tired with this Arsenal team, many talking less action………………..c.i.a.o.