Arsenal fans must have watched Russia’s opening game of Euro 2012 with their jaws on the floor. Andrey Arshavin, the lethargic, lifeless (but ultimately talented) forward that so often disappointed over the course of the last two Premier League seasons, put in an awesome performance leading his country to a 4-1 victory over the Czech Republic. Fellow Arsenal star Tomas Rosicky (who has likewise found himself rejuvenated last season) struggled to influence play and could only stand and watch as Arshavin ran the show.
He looked a lot more like the player who scored four goals against Liverpool in April 2009 than the player who scored only 1 goal in 19 appearances last season.
His dominant performance at International level follows a half-season loan with Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, with whom he won the Russian League title this season. Indeed, in all his non-Arsenal proceedings, Arshavin seems to be finding success.
Arshavin’s Arsenal contract is up in 2013, so he’ll return to the club when his time at the Euros is over. The player himself told Russian paper Sport Express: “I haven’t yet thought about (my future). Everything will be decided after the European Championship”. These comments don’t provide much clarity. Arsenal fans were sick of the sight of him last season and wanted him moved on, but do his performances of late merit giving him another chance?
Many have claimed that Arsene Wenger has failed to get the best out of Arshavin because he has been played out of position. It’s claimed that he favours the centre of the park, not the wings. That critique, I think, misses its mark. Arshavin played on the left against the Czechs and has often played on the wings for Zenit. His poor performances for Arsenal must surely be down to a lack of confidence, fitness and game time.
I can’t help but feel that a fit and motivated Arshavin could be a real asset for Arsenal. He’s always been capable of a moment of magic, but his inability to see the course in games has often stood against him. If he’s willing to adopt a proper fitness regime and work harder during matches, surely Arsene Wenger should be looking to give him another shot?
Arsenal signed Arshavin after a string of impressive performances in Euro 2008. Throughout his first season at the club he seemed to be riding a wave of positivity and turned in a number of lively and exciting performances. With that in mind, perhaps a good showing at Euro 2012 should be the impetus towards further success with Arsenal?
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No. If you watched the Euro games he’s been great going forward but still terrible defensively. Therefore he’d come back to Arsenal and be ruthlessly exposed yet again as a lazy individual when it comes to defending. Also, Premiership defences are generally stronger than a 52nd in the world Polish side, and a non-existent Czech one.
Arshavin spirit and motivation was destroyed by Wenger’s mismanagement. He would not have done any worse than Ramsey in the middle who was absolute shit, yet Wenger kept playing him in the middle of the park. Arshavin would have done much better than Ramsey. Selling him would be a loss to Arsenal. Others like Ramsey, Diaby, Denilson should be in front of the line to be sold before Arshavin.
Although i agree with the above comment from Harry, there is a bit of favoritism by the arsenal fans and it pees me off. Even though Arshavin does lack the motivation to track back which the fans consistently berate him for it when obviously its not his strength and not why he was bought.
On the other hand when Alex “ill do what i want” Song our defensive midfielder spends an entire game upfront spraying 50 useless passes around until he get 1 good one. 90% of arsenal fans blame the lack midfield cover on Ramsey. The lack of cover was always the fault of Song for not sitting in front of our back four and doing his job but he escapes the finger of blame.
i personally would sell/offer Song to Barca, Inter or Real for 15 million and get someone decent in and keep hold of Arshavin and play him behind RVP
Never understood the criticism Song gets in every article, regardless of who it is about.
The man played every single game for Arsenal from Christmas onward and must take most of the credit for getting 3rd place.
If you don’t like what he does tactically then blame Wenger, not Song. Song’s positioning and moves forward are a team decision, not made on the spur of the moment like in your U10 league James. Song’s job, in a lot of matches is to mark the other team’s playmaker and if that person drops deep then so will Song.
Arshavin is very poor coming back, you can often see him trying to get back, but he is often late and has a poor tackling technique.
In Arsenal’s formation last year the wide forwards needed to mark their full backs if they come forward. Walcott usually manages OK, but Arshavin and Gervinho are not good.
It will be interesting to see if Wenger changes things up next season because he can’t hope Podolski will track back if he playes on the left. You may see Arsenal move to a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3 like Wigan next year. Having an extra CB may help deal with the long ball/counterattacking tactics Arsenal often face.
TY I agree as one of his jobs Song has to track creative midfielders but and its a big but we mark zonal and not man for man so the he follows his playmakers around wouldn’t make any sense and if he was doing that he’s doing summit different to the rest of the team and you have found out why he goes missing when our defender knock down the barrage of long balls we face every Saturday.
Also in a strange way you hit on how arsenal play using a fluid 433 where the players roam around when in possession but they should become more rigid when we lose the ball quickly reset to the starting position and force players to play in the tighter wider areas and not through the middle. This is where Songs problems come in, like it or not Song is our best defender in the midfield so the defense need him to cover the space infront of them not wander upfront and try to do Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey or Benyouns job of creating play.
I’m do know what I’m talking about Defensive mid was my position and at a top Spanish club who likes to tap our players up until a nasty injury and yes I do manage a Sunday league team not u10 but seniors and just one a league and cup treble so thanks for asking
Sorry for the typos typing on HTC is pain in the Arsene
And breaking news about Alex Song he’s been attacked by fans in Cameroon after his national side lost In a world cup qualifier and the Cameroon fans blame Song for the loss making a number of errors during the game