In June of this year, his national manager, Dick Advocaat, had this to say on Arshavin and Wenger:
‘One of his problems is that he plays 20 minutes per game. Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger uses him as a player who can be fielded in the second half and who can refresh the game, Andrey is showing willingness to give the team the best of what he has. I worked with him for over two years at Zenit and I know who he is. A brilliant player of a single episode.’
‘At Arsenal it is not enough to be a player of an episode. Expecting from him a ninety-minute running means not knowing and not understanding Arshavin.’
Says it all really.
Finally, and I think this is the main reason why he looks disinterested as Graham mentioned, is because he’s usually the one to be substituted when he starts a game, even when he’s having a great one, which, deep down, must annoy and dishearten him – I for one would be pissed if I was having this done to me on a regular. Even when fit and at his best, I don’t’ think Arshavin has ever lasted 90-minutes has he?
Listen, I’m not saying that it’s all Wenger’s fault, but his displays have suffered due to Arsenal system and tactics. Arshavin needs to worker harder as well and prove to his critics that he’s still got it
So, has he been a poor buy for Arsenal? No, just been poorly used and treated by Wenger.
Is his heart at Arsenal? Well extracts from his recent interview suggest that it still is:
‘To be honest, I am still expecting more from me as well. But, believe me, I do everything I can do. I just must give everything I can at the moment.’
To conclude, people need to layoff Arshavin and give him a bit more support. I know he hasn’t been great for us in recent times, but he can turn it around. So let’s all get behind him and give him the boost that he needs instead of laying into him every week.
Like what you read? Then follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/@Gunnersphere
Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so.
Gunnersphere is currently looking for new writers to join the squad. Contact via twitter or at Gunnersphere@snack-media.com for further details.
You’re right!! cos you’re talking outta your backside – Arshavin plays in the so-called natural position for Russia yet even Hiddink couldn’t get them to qualify for the World cup – go read the Russian daillies…David Villa lines up at wide left for Barca for crying out loud, Eto did the same for Inter..stop making excuses for this loser who cost Hiddink his job and has come under slating by Russian fans
how can u seriously blame one person for the national game? messi should be responsible for argentina’s lost? think before u speak idiot.
i think you find your comment bout players playing out position is wrong.
henry was a winger no one said he be a good striker till wenger played him out off position!!
then look at toure, was a midfielder but was played in defence and he was impressive to the point man city brought. gibbs was a winger in the youth team but been a very good left back for us, just shame about his injury prone body.
as for arshavin has played on wing for russia a number of times, and,for zenith,it just happens even before arshavin came to us, he was renowned for his lazyness,it not his skill or his abilliaty to play on the wing or behind a forward (which he has done for arsenal ,and failed)its his work rate that lets him down, he just does’nt work hard enough for the team ….simples.
ps dennis bergkemp started out as a defender at ajax before becoming a midfielder then a striker for ajax.
Walcott is playing in a position he is used to but not dynamic in – hence crap performances. Now if he shifted into a striker he may perform better right? This is what I’m trying to say with Arshavin – play him in the position he konws and can do damage in
I still have hopes for Arshavin after his 4-goal demolition of Liverpool. You don’t become a bad player overnight. I’d like to see him in midfield but Arsene must have a reason for not using him there. The same goes for playing Bentdner on the wing and Walcott not in the middle. We must accept that the coach knows best.
ps dennis bergkemp started out as a defender at ajax before becoming a midfielder then a striker for ajax.
Absolute garbage.Dennis did not.
I agree with the author.
if you play arshavn in the middle,with whom do you replace……………
are yu trying to say that,wenger should leave van per and play arsh?hahahahaa……….
Erm no, i never said that, if you read it properly I said he should play behind the striker
people stop being stupid.
a good player can play in any position.
ashaving in a playing as a left attacker
the past what 40-60 games his been poor
having 4-5 good games in 50 games in not good enuff.
he will never play in the middle due to the fact he dose not track back at alllllllll.
and give alot of passes away and is very weak.
his 30 how many more years we going to wait for him to play well.
atleast with walcott
he tracks back well is far from lazy
and his always a threat keep other defenders on there toes.
i would rather someone like alex or ryo
is picked ahead of arshaving.
But surely if a player is lazy he shouldn’t be playing on the wing?
i agree. hv we given arshavin a string of 90 mins in the middle?