The Exits At Arsenal – A Look At Andrey Arshavin (Video)
Arsenal have decided to freshen things up this summer and whilst they have not managed to secure any big name signings so far, they have at least managed to get rid of a few expensive flops and reduce the wage bill in the process. Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin has re-joined former club Zenit St Petersburg after a disappointing time in London. What did he bring to the club during his four year stay and why did it not work out for him?
Signed for £15m, which was a club record at the time, the little playmaker began his career in decent fashion; he contributed goals now and then, as well as his fair share of assists. However, he increasingly became used as a substitute and would often go missing in games if things weren’t working out for him. Whilst both Zenit and the Russian national team decided to base their game around him and play everything through him, Arsenal just didn’t place the same emphasis on him and he was expected to contribute just as much without the ball as when he had it at his feet.
Fans appreciated his talents, especially the four goals he scored at Anfield in a classic 4-4 encounter in April 2009, but his consistency let him down. Robin van Persie was still a Gunner at this point and no-one was going to shift him out of the striker’s position due to his incredible record. Arsene Wenger’s decision to play Arshavin as one of the outside attacking midfielders didn’t suit his game too well and at times you wondered whether he even knew what to do in that role.
It didn’t work out for him in England but perhaps going back to the club where he has achieved so much success will allow him another chance to prove that, at one time, he was one of the most desirable players in Europe.
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