If you had asked Arsenal fans to list the players they’d like to have seen shipped out of their club, before the summer began, there’s a good chance that they’d have included lackluster Russian Andrey Arshavin on their list. The fact that a player that was once so promising could appear on a list amongst players like Carlos Vela, Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Chamakh is telling.
Last season he looked like a player who had completely lost his passion for the game. He wandered through games, dragging his slightly misshaped body through moment to moment, only looking to involve himself when it was convenient. Sure, he was capable of the odd inspired moment, I’m thinking his cross to supply Thierry Henry’s winner against Sunderland. But it’s fair to say that these moments have grown too far apart over the course of the last couple of seasons.
It’s a real shame. Every Arsenal fan wants to see the little Russian at his best. We’ve seen what he can offer. Back in Euro 2008, Arshavin was arguably the most dynamic, explosive and trick player available in the transfer market.
He also had a blockbuster first season at the club, with a particular highlight being a 4-goal salvo against Liverpool, at Anfield. With this in mind, his fall from grace has been fairly spectacular. Let’s face facts, this is a guy who can’t even make Arsenal’s bench at the moment.
Part of the problem is that he doesn’t seem to have found his best position in the squad. Many claim he’s best served as a central midfielder, but Wenger often opts to play him down the wings. Given his lack of pace, he’d probably be best served in a central role, where he could focus on moving the ball about and pulling the strings. This is the role he’s excelled in for Russia. Indeed, he had a fairly successful Euro 2012 and was no doubt looking to replicate this form in the Premier League.
How else can you explain the fact that Arshavin turned down a move back to the Russian League? Zenit St Petersburg were said to be interested and Dynamo Moscow manager Dan Petrescu has told the press, ‘I wanted him, but he said no’. (Source: The Daily Mail).
This suggests, one of two things: either Arsenal are offering better wages, or Arshavin’s determined to prove himself in the Premier League. Yes, he’s got a long way to go before he breaks back into this Arsenal side, but if he’s got the right attitude, he’s got the ability to do so. An on form Arshavin would add plenty to Arsene Wenger’s side.
So let’s hope, for Arsenal’s and Arshavin’s sake, that he finds his feet again.
What’s your take? Will Arshavin have a role to play this season?
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He’s five-foot four! he’s five-foot foouur! We’ve got Arshavin, f%ck adebayor! I think he can still b the man, even if its for the cups!
What cups? Egg cups?
I don’t know where to start. He played out wide quite often for Russia, the problem has never been the position but his application and confidence, plus he’s actually pretty quick. He’s here because his family wants to stay, he knows that if he trains well enough he’ll get his chances and game time so it’s not a priority to move, especially to a big rival of the only other club he’s ever played for.
exactly his wife is having their second baby. . Where would you rather be London or St Petersburg. Yep you guessed it. Maybe he can be an impact sub like Solskaar was for Man U although somehow I doubt it.
i describe him as a genius without the right attitude…well aw also wrong putting him in the wing.
He’s only still at arsenal because his wife refuses to leave london and return to Russia
Anybody else get chills thinking about that winner he scored against Barca in early 2011? Love him, hope he can be involved in a genuine trophy pursuit this season. It would be fitting of a player of his quality.
Lets face it, Arsenal lacks the depth of a squad like Man City. An in form Arshavin could provide a surprise source of depth, not unlike Rosicky last year.
I often hear about how we have a lot of midfielders. Usually someone says that when discussing whether there is room for new transfers. But the truth is that our starting best midfielders don’t truly stack up against the top of the league, and certainly not compared to Real or Barca. Jack Wilshire and Oxelade are great for their age, but if we are pinning our hopes on the likes of them, it will be a long wait for silverware. We must hope and prey that players like Arshavin, Rosicky, and Diaby all play their best this year. And we should all be rooting for Walcott to comie good once and for all, rather than complaining about his salary demends. With enough players playing well, we have an outside chance. If Wenger can rest and rotate players without concern about overall quality, then we can face the top teams with the advantage of well rested, physically and mentally strong players. Which really is our only chance.