Arshavin is frustrating – but still a huge asset!
The Arshavin conundrum.
Andrei Arshavin has caused great debate among fans (Arsenal and football alike) in recent weeks/months/years. On the one hand, he is technically brilliant and can change a game, but on the other he is dubbed lazy and incredibly inconsistent.
I think that when Arsenal critics say that he is ‘lazy’ or simply ‘cannot be bothered’, they are way off the mark. It is the worst insult to a professional footballer to question his commitment when he is on the field. There is no reason why Arshavin would simply not try when he was playing. On the contrary, with the knowledge that Arsene Wenger won’t let him go and that will only get few chances to shine (with the Ox coming through), wouldn’t he be motivated and trying to impress every time he played?
He has been criticised last season as well as this and I think that this is very unfair. Last season, he made 52 appearances (many of them from the bench) and scored 10 times, while contributing 17 assists. This is a very healthy tally, the kind which you should be very happy with from a bit part player. This season, his statistics have been less impressive, so criticism is, perhaps, more understandable.
However, he has shown that he can change a game and has, like Rosicky, a quick footballing mind and, as I said, superb technical ability. Someone mentioned, I think on this site, that we should remember, with Arshavin, that ‘form is temporary and class is permanent’. His assist on Saturday certainly showed that he has class and still has that ability to turn a game. The thing I loved about the cross was that it was intelligent; I don’t think that Theo would have put in a ball like that. Even the Ox, I think, would have whipped a ball across the six yard box as opposed to curling one toward the goal, ready for the King to finish.
I suppose that what I’m trying to say is that we should have a bit more patience with Arshavin (even though I realise that it’s probably pretty thin at the moment) as he is, in my opinion, one of the most technically gifted players on the Arsenal team; if he hits form, he could be a HUGE asset.
Trackback: trackback from your own site.
COMMENTS GUIDELINES: ANY COMMENTS WITH SWEARING OR PERSONAL ABUSE WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT EXCEPTION: PLEASE DISCUSS THE SUBJECT IN A FREINDLY AND OBJECTIVE MANNER. SERIAL ABUSERS WILL BE BANNED. PLEASE BE NICE TO YOUR FELLOW GOONERS!
Arshavin has revived his career at Arsenal.. Never thought i was going to say that.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
50 
8
Need a lot more from him before we can say he’s revived his career! But I still think we shud try him in a more central role. When gerviniho returns I think we shud play him on the left, chamberlin on the right and alternate between arshavin and walcott playing in the middle behind rvp. Its at least worth a try!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
50 
8
All football fans are the same. They want every player to score in every game. If a player doesn’t run from one end to another to recover a ball, he is lazy. If a player shoots instead of passing, he doesn’t have good vision. If he shoots when he passes, he’s low on confidence. If they have too much possession, it’s deemed overplaying the ball. If they have too little possession, they got outplayed. If a player passes the ball defensively instead of a through ball from the midway line he’s a negative player. Get over it.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
48 
9
arsha the super sub. Keep movin.. Its all about form. Hope he get it bak.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
38 
4
One of the best player but lacks consistancy..!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
35 
5
question is how many games will he change? Everygame or 1 in 3, or 1 in 10? Its only after that we shud decide he’s worth keeping. Personally i’ld give him one last shot to prove himself, otherwise sell in the summer.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
17 
12
It’s a question of consistency. I don’t think his ability has ever been in question, but if he can only do it once every few games, it’s just not enough for someone of his experience and talent.
It reminds me of theo, in his first 2 or 3 seasons, when he was playing very poorly for the most part, but every few weeks, he would score or do something good, and people would say that justifies his place in the side – it didn’t.
Rosicky is in a similar position: an extremely talented footballer, who’s form has dropped later in his career (although at least it is more understandable, given his injuries), but the major difference is that Tomas gives 100% in every appearance, and when he isn’t at his best, still isn’t a liability, as Arshavin too often is. Tomas will at least keep the ball for the side, and make tackles to win back possession; when Arshavin is off-form (which has been most of the time, since his first 6months at the club), he gives the ball away on almost every occasion he receives it, and makes a lot of defensive mistakes, in important positions. It’s not enough.
Of course I hope he rediscovers his attacking potency for the remainder of the season, but if he can’t do that, it’s time he was moved on. That would free up a place in the squad for someone with more hunger. There’s no chance a player like hazard or goetze or shaqiri, or even lesser players like n’zogbia, would have played so poorly for so long, despite their being much younger/less experienced; and arshavin is supposed to have as much talent as those players (or more, in the case of n’zogbia), but he has much more experience.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
12 
11
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
3 
12
Just play him in his correct position.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
31 
2
Arshavin has proved that he is one of the best assisting players at arsenal despite being inconsistent. He needs to rediscover his scoring form which i think he will soon. I really hope he scores soon, I see Gervinho missed the penalty in the ACN penalty shoot out and they lost the game!!!!!!!
Opinions divided. What do you think?
9 
4
The problem is Le Prof..for persistently playing these guys out of position killing their game.I don’t think any of these ‘Boys’ can face up to him and demand to be played in their positions..and the results are glaring for all to see.I respect Arshavin coz he doesn’t fake injuries like some of those who left
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
24 
3
Class is there…Form will return soon
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
15 
3
THANKUUUUUUUUUUU.!!!!!FINALLY SMONE REALISES HE IS SUCH AN ASSET ALL HE NEEDS is more confidence n pressure …he is great under pressure.,.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
21 
4
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
0 
13
This is a Joke.
He is our most expensive transfer ever. And he lost his place to an 18yo who is better in everyway.
You think 1 assist makes up for his complete lack of effort? He’s been the cause for conceding more goals than he has for getting any.
His poor tracking back agaisnt Man U was the reason they got the winner. He was good but when a player makes comments admitting he doesn’t care. Then be gone with him. Ox is almost half his age and twice as good.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
10 
18
Regardless of whether Andrei is consistent or not his experience gives him something the young blokes do not possess….guile. Ox and Walcott should start with perhaps Gervinho rotating based on form, but to be able to bring on Arsharvin to unlock a door the youngsters were quite obviously clueless about last weekend was such a bonus a bonus.
Rate this comment:
8 
1
LOL! with arsh some what shinin’ thru again, lets hope it rubs of on chamakh, then we can have some good substitutes comin on in da late part of the game! anywho, its also nice to see rosicky back on the scene again too.
Rate this comment:
4 
1
Hi All,
Great to see our little russian maestro affecting a game again in a way (if we are honest) we know he still can. Noteworthy also is the praise he came in for from Henry in a number of interviews and again lets be honest Henry knows about football and good footballers. So lets get behind Arsavin (no pun intended) and Up the Arse (again no pun intended…well may be a little)
Cheers
goonerjake
Rate this comment:
8 
1
Arshavin has responded to the out cry of supporters, he is always the best. We should reduce critisizing, he is yet to show us best moves in Milan. The boo will take long to heal, lets incourage him. Same to Ramsey its wonderful but most to man Wenger. Am sure many were not happy in inclution of Ramsey but thats how football is. A game of chance.
Mombasa, Kenya.
Rate this comment:
6 
3
I love Arshavin, I have his name on my shirt, and I’ll be wearing it this weekend at the Stadium of Light, but unfortunately we have to accept that his lack of form, age and other players waiting to fill his spot, he has (will) become our super sub.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
10 
3
check out the flick from Matias Suarez at around 5:00 incredible! hope we get him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6lBwknVqPc&feature=player_embedded#!
Rate this comment:
1 
3
6:00*
Rate this comment:
1 
0
arshavin to me is arsenal’s top man, its just about form. Arshavin fans follow 4hayim4 on twitter for more on him.
Rate this comment:
6 
1
Still sell him and use the money to buy an addidas ball or whistle for the officials. one assist does not make up for months of crap. Afterall Squillachi also scores goals, does that make him more usefull than tissue paper?
Rate this comment:
2 
7
He was motivated by the way some of our fans treats him, i still have a little confidence on him, his age.
Rate this comment:
2 
2
So now people are saying he is reviving his career after that assist. They are probably the same people that have been bagging him out for the last 2 years!
The Russian deserves more credit as i’ve been stressing for weeks even when he was going though a bad run. Finally, people are waking up to themselves. Would we have lost that game if Wenger sold him? Now stooges in here are thinking!
Rate this comment:
8 
0
@Hass above when did you start nicking my nickname. I’m the real Hass. Arshavin is not frustrating. People forget that he has given 3 assists in his last 5 games three of which were starts. Since that QPR game he has become a better player, I was the only person saying he was back in from and all that was needed was to work on his shots. The following game he improves on his dribbling (against Leeds). Whats frustrating is Arshavin, Alex Chamberlin and Gervinho have to compete for a spot on the left were as Walcott who I think is the poorerst player out of the four has a free ride on the right every game. It makes no sense.
Rate this comment:
9 
1
welldone all arsenal fans who contributed in booing. suddenly it seems AW and arshavin are awake again. may your mouths never weak from booing when necessary…
Rate this comment:
2 
4
I second you in your thoughts. when things go wrong, then somebody must take blame and carry the burden of it, that was to happen to arshavin and wenger during the recent goal drought that saw arsenal acquire 1 point in four matches. now! as things seem to calm, fans are getting back to what they like doing most-hypocritical support- but we are just humans and subjected to demand results like any other fans. I hope our team will rise above Ac Milan, spurs and Liverpool in those mouth watering encounters.
God bless arsenal, God bless Arshavin
****************what is wrong with south Americans? It was Tevez drama festival and now all eyes are on Suarez. that is why Maradona and Pele will forever be legends in those regions as young ruthless, mischievous and other abysmal kind of racist lose ground of football discipline.
****************
I am starting to believe that the FA is killing English football- for failure to control the likes of Howard Webb who’s a fan of Manchester UTD by fact, childish handling of racist allegations and a lot of concern caused by players on the injury list, makes England the worst place to play football in western Europe.this makes star players like Messi, Neymar, Hazard, Gotze, Benzema, Podoski the list is long, to snub England chances. Indeed FA needs soul searching.
Rate this comment:
0 
1
i consider lazy as a player losing the ball and showing no intent on getting it back. sorry but you guys are going ott after 1 game just like you did when he played well against stoke. if he plays well in at least 3 games in a row then i believe in him again
Rate this comment:
1 
2
what a nonsense – one cross and we are supposed to forget the 18 months of poor display after poor display – and general uninterested attitude
give me a break…the guy is a plum
Rate this comment:
3 
5
Well a very sad story for arsenal is breaking from france that hazard has agreed to join spuds that is a f@ckin insult because there is no way they sign him if we really wanted to sign
Rate this comment:
0 
0
One thing no one is saying.. No form no consistency…
Don’t you need a consistent chance to tell that.
3 games of 7 and only 12-18 min total on pitch and two assists
Sounds like he should start 2-3 games in a row then talk.
And is it lazy or tactical positioning you don’t see what he can on the pitch.
He is also one of only players that can manipulate the game and speed
Rate this comment:
4 
1
11 men not one change a game
With arshavin’s so called lack of form(who had great form) robin want even scoring
Rate this comment:
0 
0
One great cross and opinion flips on its head. ‘Fickle’ is the word that springs to mind, but it doesn’t quite cut it. If Arshavin is to actually revive his career, he should start off by losing about a stone, because that rotund body isn’t helping.
Rate this comment:
1 
2
Our most technical player..I always say that..When he is ready to play….
Rate this comment:
1 
0
guys need to have some football knowledge…..don’t talk and comment like 5 yr old kids.
1 assist from AA23 n 2 wins had made u guys blind.
Rate this comment:
0 
1
arsenal deserve better player then he is today……n the manager.
we are royal club. can any one understand this, we are loosing our place to rival club n wenger is just keep watching n u guys are singing songs of him.
Rate this comment:
0 
1
He has the quality but you never know which Arshavin is going to turn up. This makes it difficult to start him and it makes it difficult to put on as an impact sub. Can he do better playing behind the striker? I think so but if that’s not something Wenger wants to try then I don’t see what Arshavin can do.
Rate this comment:
0 
0
He has potential to be great, everybody knows that. But he had been poor for year and a half. He has looked good lately but unless he can do it for few games in a row, it doesn’t change much. Seems like same people that have been criticizing him for over a year r now changing their mind after couple of games.
Rate this comment:
1 
0
He needs to be played in a more central role then he will flourish
Rate this comment:
3 
2