George Graham reckons Andrey Arshavin has been a poor buy for Arsenal and has also questioned the Russian’s commitment to the north London club. Sounds like another dig from the former Gunners boss on his old club, but is it a justified statement?
The 30-year-old winger signed for Arsenal in January 2009 after impressing for his country during Euro 2008 and then club Zenit.
However, after one bright season for Arsenal, Arshavin has failed to secure a first-team spot due to his lacklustre performances, leaving Graham to believe that the former Zenit playmakers heart is not at the Emirates and was a waste of money.
Graham told talkSPORT’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast Show this morning:
‘Arshavin’s been a poor buy, his enthusiasm doesn’t seem to be there.’
‘Last night [against Marseille], and in the past, he’s looked like he doesn’t want to be there. When he pulls that shirt on he’s not been good enough for me.’
I believe a lot of fans will agree with Graham on this one, and whilst I am inclined to concur with him in a sense, I for one truly believe that the Russians performances have suffered due to Arsene Wenger’s tactics.
Now before everyone starts cussing me and telling me that I’m talking out of my ass, hear me out.
Firstly, Arshavin is not a natural winger; he is an attacking midfielder, a player that roams behind the striker and creates through the middle. Any player playing out of position will look crap and will more than likely struggle to have an impact on a game.
In the past, Arshavin looked great for Zenit and his country. Why? Because he was deployed in his natural position. He managed to net 76 goals and make 109 assists in 309 games for the Russian club, which are impressive stats and indicate that he is a creative player.
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?