Arsenal completed the signing of Russian star Andrey Arshavin on the 31st January 2009. Gunners fans all over the world would have been glued to their television sets awaiting the announcement, hoping the club would get the deal over the line before the transfer window slammed shut.
During his time in London, the Russian produced some moments of pure genius including four goals during the same game up at Anfield shattering Liverpool’s title hopes in the process (Guardian).
These supporters have been discussing the former Arsenal man on Twitter.
He was as talented and frustrating as Özil. On his day.
— Mohit Hiralal® (@IVIohiT) November 17, 2019
Arsenal fans destroyed him…
— Neutrino.. (@asimthegunner) November 16, 2019
Oh he was SPECIAL
— Out of context Gooner (@HBY_14) November 16, 2019
We didn’t see enough of him at his best but I absolutely loved having him at Arsenal. True baller.
— Toby Clayton (@tobyclayton01) November 16, 2019
Arshavinnnnn
One of my favorite players at the time pic.twitter.com/PAxEBTdVmE— Terence (@TerryGunner4lyf) November 16, 2019
Very talented and skillful player with speed
— Dimariera Asanga (@DimarieraA) November 16, 2019
Oh he was SPECIAL ?
— Out of context Gooner (@HBY_14) November 16, 2019
He was like a poet with the football
— Jason Kazian ? (@jasonrkazian) November 16, 2019
What do we think?
Arshavin played 145 times for the Gunners, scoring 31 goals and registering 46 assists. The Russian’s arrival was met with huge expectation and there is a debate to be had regarding whether or not he fulfilled his potential in England. Often, Arsene Wenger would play Arshavin from the left-flank despite the player’s preferred position being through the middle and behind the forwards.
Playing wide required the attacking-midfielder to track back and came with defensive obligations – defending didn’t come naturally to Arshavin and as a result, he was often branded ‘lazy’ and attracted criticism from some sections of the supporters. The former Zenit St. Petersburg attacker scored the winner in the club’s famous victory over Barcelona on the 16th February 2011 arguably the most famous night in Emirates Stadium history. An Arsenal legend? Perhaps not. But a cult hero certainly.