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Wenger – Arshavin is better than he looks! (Really???)

Posted on January 14, 2012 by admin

Arsene Wenger has been talking about the latest Arsenal transfer rumours saying that Andrei Arshavin will be allowed to leave the Emirates this month, and he believes that the Russian still has a job to do for the Gunners despite a series of lacklustre performances.

Wenger says that, although Arshavin seems to be lazy on the pitch, the stats tell a different story about his workrate. “He has always been a player who plays on the borderline, if you look at the game against QPR,” Wenger said. “He is a big gambler, and at the end of the day he gave the ball to Robin van Persie to score in that game. So he is always efficient.

“If you look at his numbers you are always surprised at how good he is. Sometimes the visual impression you get from a game has been frustrating, but he is very efficient. We can all have a big responsibility but we need confidence for what we do.”

Most Arsenal fans would be surprised as it is only the visual performance that thet get to see, but Wenger thinks that the simple answer for getting the best out of Arshavin is to keep playing him and hope that his confidence levels increase with game-time.

“We know he has the talent,” Wenger continued. “He’s been questioned many times but his attitude has always been spot on.

“In the last game, specifically, he showed that he needs to play and needs confidence. He needs to play with confidence and freedom, that is his strength. He is a creative player and you need that fraction of belief and confidence to play with freedom.”

We cannot deny that the little Russian has the talent, as he showed when he first arrived in England, but to say that he is “always efficient” is maybe pushing our belief to the limits. I just question whether it is sensible to keep persevering with him when there are younger, fitter and more committed players sitting on the bench every single game…..

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43 to “Wenger – Arshavin is better than he looks! (Really???)”

  1. Arrrsssseeeennnaaallll says:

    Arshavins a bossss… When he wants to be… Please come back into form.

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 44 Thumb down 3

  2. S.H says:

    He needs to be sold! I’m a fan of Arshavin and I still believe he can give good assists and score goals, but not consistently as he used to. He still has the ability to surprise critics here and there, but we need top quality performers now, especially wing experts. The Russian is better used behind RVP, but we know that’s never going to happen.

    Let’s cut our losses, sell him for 10M and use that to buy someone else.

    Opinions divided. What do you think? Thumb up 19 Thumb down 17

  3. Morris says:

    WHA AN IRONY!!! WENGER JUST TALKED ABOUT THE LACK OF COMMITTMENT FROM OXLADE, HOW DID HE COME TO THAT CONCLUSION? IS NOT BY WHAT HE OF CHAMBERLAIN BOTH IN TRAININ/MATCHES – VISUAL IMPRESSION.

    “Sometimes the visual impression you get from a game has been frustrating, but he is very efficient”. SOMETIMES ARSHAVIN CAN BE SUPERLATIVE HOWEVER, MOST TIMES ARSHAVIN IS WASTEFUL COS HE IS LAZY = INCONSISTENCY. HE IS AN EXPERIENCED INTERNATIONAL PLAYER AND SHOULD KNOW BETTER. ENOUGH OF THIS MYOPIC FAVOURITISM/LOYALTY. AFC COMES FIRST.

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 10

  4. Morris says:

    LET’S BE REALISTIC, AA23 WILL NOT FETCH £10M IN TODAY’S TRANSFER MKT.

    Opinions divided. What do you think? Thumb up 8 Thumb down 13

  5. bob says:

    He has lost it….to mush of the good old English life…at his age….spending to mush time in the Pub, having Pock Pies and Pints…getting himself fat and as a result, slow and lazy.

    He should be booed….but for me, the crowd only picks on certain players to boo when they are not in their eyes, not giving their all (Lazy). You think about who has been booed in the past…..two of them have left the club and one is still at the club. Booed for the same lack of performance as Arshavin.

    Opinions divided. What do you think? Thumb up 12 Thumb down 10

  6. abdul says:

    wenger should swap AA23 for eden hazard or erikson

    Opinions divided. What do you think? Thumb up 10 Thumb down 8

  7. alex says:

    u guys are so wrong..how do u bag on arshavin but are perfectly fine with wastes of space like djourou, gibbs (yes he is not quality), or gervinho (other than pace what does he have). Wenger fucked arshavin over many times, why do you think he shows a lack of effort? Last year the man came on when we were losing 1-0 to barca and he practically saved the game (not just the goal). How did wenger thank him? he benched him the next game and played rosicky (who couldnt even keep on his feet) and then put him in the 3-1 when the game was done.

    Same was done with bendtner..bendtner had a clutch season and when we had no strikers and had to rely on him he was putting in goals. Again another example, last year against barca at the camp nou he came on and at least managed to have a chance (something van persie couldnt do in an hour). Then wenger goes and plays him as a winger (a complete unfit position for someone with that body type and his abilities) and we all go saying he is a waste of space.

    Do you guys watch the games at all? Arhsavin did play that perfect pass to van persie vs qpr. He does play good, but dont expect miracles for someone who plays in the last 10-15 mins every game even if they have proved themselves before. Hell even Chamakh has had more of a chance and that is a player that practically ruins every pass/chance that comes to him.

    Just as a disclaimer. I like wenger he does with arsenal what most teams cant do with a team of twice the value and quality. His player choice, and transfer policy can sometimes be a nuisance but he is a good tactician.

    We need to give Arshavin more time (especially since Gervinho, who should be on the bench while arshavin starts, will be at the cup of nations). Miyaichi is good but should have been sent on loan one more season, preferably in the championship. AOC needs to be played more. He should have 10-15 mins in every game or so just to get more involved with the team. Miquel & Yennaris have shown their abilities and i would put them above Djourou.

    Lastly, we need to sign players it doesnt have to be guys worth 30m and more. Theyre are plenty of players out that are quality and at a fair price. Demba Ba was free, Nzogbia was cheap (9.5m), elmander left on a free, riise (perfect lb cover) was bought for 2.4m) or jose enrique who was 6m. peter crouch (you think chamakh is good in the air) was 10m. scott parker (5m)

    and those were just premier league transfers. Where were we when these players were sold. I would love anyone of these guys at arsenal right now, and for those prices? How can you not be mad at our performance in the summer transfer window.

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 7

  8. Ed says:

    Arshavin needs to add one major element to his game to become a more effective player…aggression

    he showed a hint of it against leeds after he got one of many of his rough tackles he received that night…his feet get faster, he becomes more direct and he begins to wake up!!

    c’mon andre!! stop being such a ‘nice guy’ and get angry!!

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2

  9. OhToBeAGooner says:

    C’mon lads, Wenger is right!! His statistics show that he is in fact consistent so why not start him more? Dont get me wrong but ive been sick of him at times and in fact wenger should look on himself for this. Arshavin is simply not played enough and is out of position he is a ATTACKING MID/LIE IN BEHIND THE STRIKER player our formation in midfield and up front should look like this

    Song
    Arteta Ramsey
    Arshavin
    Henry Van Persie

    SIMPLE SO CMON WENGER

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3

  10. sam says:

    hopefully he’s indirectly telling zenith show me the money coz they want him on the cheap and he wants to increase their bid.
    otherwise as an arsenal fans you should ignore wenger’s comments regarding his players. this is a man who called almunia world class, kept him as arsenal number one for 6 years and even backed him to be selected for england.
    whats next? chamakh to win the golden boot?

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1

  11. sam says:

    the arshavin brigade make me laugh,LOL!!!
    did you know that chamberlain is central midfielder? i dont see him complaining about playing in the wing. van persie can play anywhere in attack. miquel is playing left back, coquelin, yennaris left back, right back etc…. all these are kids who supposed to learn from arshavin not show him how is done. play where the boss tells you, or maybe in russia wingers don’t track back.
    attacking midfielder shouldn’t have problem playing in the wing, nasri, wilshere,ramsey, hazard,gotze, kaka,beckham,silva etc………. our little meercat is just useless, please wake up and smell the coffee, he’s not good enough for arsenal fc.

    Opinions divided. What do you think? Thumb up 4 Thumb down 12

  12. gary says:

    we wont get two bob for that usless lazy c??t. swap him for hazard? some of you on here really are mental. would you swap a clapped out old lada for an aston martin? he was fantastic when he arrived, but russian footballers and london dont mix,,,dont ask me why

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2

  13. pmjgunz7 says:

    What a Joke….
    What nos is he talkin of? He complains of Chamberlain defendin yet he will stomach Ashavin Fustration(poor general attitude- both attackin n defendin), oh so he’s ready to tolerate a dying Star(AA) to kill Rising Star (AOC).
    Wenger you are talkin Bull’s, pls concentrate on how you can get the best out the team and stop talkin like you smoked pots.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 4

  14. P.P says:

    i believe arshavin needs to play down the middle as a playmaker, like he does with russia. i dont think the left wing is working for him.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3

  15. lawrence gf says:

    Wenger has stuffed Arsenal big time.

    Bad enough we have Arshavin, champcrap, flappianski, Almuni a, djourou, squillaci, and the eternal boy wonder walcott…

    but don’t forget the duff loanees we got due to return Denihlson, bendtner…..

    AW should be drug tested.

    Opinions divided. What do you think? Thumb up 12 Thumb down 7

  16. Johnno says:

    If Wenger wants to keep him, which I’d be happy with because he is a quality footballer, then play him in his preferred position! Not sure how many times it has to be said but in absolutely no way is he a winger! He’s a centre forward/attacking midfielder, not a winger. I grow tired of Wenger buying players, like Walcott, then trying to convert them. Sure it has come off in the past, like with Henry, but it isn’t the greatest way for a top level club to go about its business. If you buy a centre forward; play him as a centre forward. If you buy a winger; play him as a winger. Sell Chamack as well! Absolutely useless! Using his feet for anything with the ball; shooting, dribbling, passing – is almost non existent. Opposition defences must be happy if they come up against him because he’s barely a threat anywhere. He’s too weak to genuinely challenge for aerial balls, anyway headers would ruin his haircut.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1

  17. razzaray says:

    My thinking is we are not getting any replacements for any players. We will only bring loanees in. We are not getting a top midfield player or striker coming in. We need to work on the confidence of the players we have, as we need them to perform now. A.A needs to be nurtured back to full confidence and given the backing from fans to get back what he had. If he is fully committed Henry return should give him a boost to show what we all know he can do. We need to get behind the squad and make them want to be here

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1

  18. gunned up says:

    all i know if arshavin is provoked,he could change the game…c’mon arshavin…TAKE THE ANGER OUT!!!!!!!

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1

  19. Arsenal zimbabwe says:

    Wenger always arrogant he definately has a unique pair of eyes that see differently.I have always said this january there will be no transfer,we shall continue suffering,hope the injury list shrinks and some quality returns.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2

  20. all i know is wenger is very a mad coach..by telling us that is still have hope in ashavin…u better sell him and get is fees to buy better player like hazard or gotze…

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3

  21. jack says:

    nothing is gonna change no players will be brought Wenger will keep all the donkeys it will be a miracle if RVP stays.Until Wenger leaves we will not win again because he will not buy quality.Instead lets keep all the donkeys and we all know which players should not be at arsenal all of us except our grand manager that is.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3

  22. Play him in the middle behind the strickers and you will love him.he can do a better job than ramsey at creating chances for the front men a job that song has been doing of late

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1

  23. ArsenaLova says:

    sold him around 10m.get one special signing.the creative playmaker we crying out loud. eriksom from ajax please mr.wenger!! one special signing like what he surprise us when he get arshavin for 16m.we need someone new n fresh.more hungry.cn cntrul posesion in the middle.good vision. song-erikson-wilshere awesome combination. rambo n arteta on the bench.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0

  24. bob says:

    play him instead of ramsey, in an advanced role behind rvp, see how he does, with a run of 7 or 8 games then if he doesn’t do well then we sell him

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1

  25. Kyle says:

    When in form, he is one of the best attacking midfielders in the league. Usually does well in the big games (e.g scored the winner vs. Barca), and is very good at dribbling. The only problem obviously is his consistency with form. However, Wenger should not let him go easy, or cheap for that matter, and should settle for anything less than £13million.

    Gooners till I die!

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1

  26. Rejoice says:

    Here are what most AFC fans are excellent at doing: insulting the manager, board, players and refs; complaining about everything, grumbling, murmuring, whining, criticising, moaning, fault-finding, panicking, doubting, fearing, arrogance, abusive, etc. Most of the comment Arsenal fans make are so offensive, unreasonable, unrealistic and impracticable in Arsenal. All they want is buy, buy, and buy as if that is the only thing that matters.
    As a fan, I find the attitude of most so poor. Arsenal fans are the worst I have seen anywhere. If everything about Arsenal depended on these fans, I would have stoped supporting AFC and I can’t support ANOTHER CLUB. AFC OR NO OTHER CLUB.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2

  27. Ziggy355 says:

    Arsharvin is a gunner, let’s start there…. He is lacking confidence, nobody can deny that. Wenger is a manager that runs thing as he want to and in NO way could we( in these forums especially) influence him, so if we know these facts are we not as bad if not worse for our team then a out of form player, particularly one nobody can deny has talent. He (arsharvin) missed a good chance early against Leeds, but he was there, in the perfect position, we as fans are making things worse, by focusing on the negatives that can in no way help a problem with a player, are we really deluded in thinking the more we moan about him, the more chance Wenger will listen, or is it more likely that the player who is at times taking a spot of the allowed 11 players is reading, listening and seeing the reactions of the thoughtless people booing is every move( which don’t get me wrong I’m agreeing with most, in that his form is woefull) my point being we can’t control if Wenger plays him or not, he gets paid and Wenger doesn’t listen to us. So the bottom line is we are only helping the opposition by booing a performance that is not what we expect, everybody that knows Arshavin( I don’t mean fans, I mean personally) can not speak highly enough of him. So next time we wanna be arm chair Gooners, think if you truly support the team you should always do whats best for Arsenal, and throwing hissy fits is not going help, I’m done with my rant and stick by what I say, I would respect anyone that could disagree with my comment of ” if you can’t change something, then how can anything other then support help our man Arshavin”

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  28. robz says:

    you’re an idiot rejoice just like arsenic whinger.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3

  29. 10ten says:

    I LOVED YOUR LECTURE ALEX… so true..!!

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  30. Rejoice says:

    @robz. A perfect display of what I have just said. Do you have to resort to foul language? Anyway, I can’t decend to your level. Thanks, you are a good guy, Arsenal’s illustrious fan.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2

  31. Wengar is just trying to defend that his record signing is not a mistake afterall. Mr wengar u are not god.u bought arshavin 4 a club record fee,but he did not click.stop defending him and ofload him to give room 4 more productive players who can take us back to d arsemal d world use to know and not d one whose only ambition is to finish above spurs.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1

  32. Mehrzad says:

    lets sell the chap as long as somebody pays a penny for him

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1

  33. ArsenaLova says:

    @rejoice

    Go support another club then. We moaning bcause we loves this club n wnt succes.atleast one special signing atleast.even the fullback mention on loan is hardly wna get.rely on robin alone.get henry to attract the fans back to fill the stadium.

    low ambition.we xpect more with this club rather than keep balancing the book.huge stadium,fanbase n evrythng complete.no succes on the pitch n trophies.dnt even the board think f they win titles or trophies they wil get more money n supporters around the world. should dominate the europe.nt jst keep cmplaining bout injuries. wenger hv a big squad he says.where is the big squad??almunia squid use them if he wna win things.keep them til they retire.it is a waste of money paying these players salary.

    Wenger hv said he let henry go cus he wana win things espcialy the champs league.so our club hv no ambition to win anythng then??jst keep dveloping those young player n sell them.and keep the likes of almunia,squid.the list goes on.n sell good player!dnt u even question what is the board doing back there??counting their money??while we’re waiting for 6 yrs.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0

  34. Rejoice says:

    @arsenallova. Unfortunately, you’re not to tell me what club to support or not. It’s my choice and that choice is Arsenal.
    At the moment, Arsenal, in my thinking, is average. Do I like it? No. 7yrs and no trophy. Am I ok with that? Not at all. We either don’t want to or can’t buy Hazard, Goetze, Mvilla etc and some of our players are not top notch. Am not ok with that. Things are not working the way we (fans) want it. True.
    But does that justify our bad, negative attitude of being insultive, moaning? What change has all these things that we do brought?
    We watch Asenal, but how many of us know what happens beyond the pitch. What the club is doing may not be meeting the expectation of many fans. But I’ll not insult or act and talk as if I know it better than those in charge. I will rather support and encouage than insult these players and those who manage them.
    See, I lead over 1,000 youths. From outside, it looks easy, but wait until you lead 20 people.
    This is when we need to stand the more with our club, kmowing it was not always like this. Its a cycle that will come and go. Get behind the club. When we keep talking down our club, it affects their performance, they feel unloved and their confidence drops. Thats AA23′s problem-too much criticism and insult from the fans. Get behind the club. I am behind the club, trophy or no trophy, world class players or not, top 4 or not.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4

  35. Big Gun says:

    Arshavin is past his sell by date. I wouldn’t gamble playing him every game just in hopes that he somehow comes to light.
    His attitude in a many a game has been one of laziness and negativity. We all can see it, and only Arshavin himself can change that. Sorry, as much as I would like to say give him another chance, he has had his chance. I would rather see an enthusiastic and hungry Ryo Miyaichi play than him.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

  36. Big Gun says:

    @Rejoice Actually the fans can see a lot of what goes on. We shouldn’t have to remind you that the last transfer window was a complete hash up. We had to get raped 8 – 2 by United before Wenger realized we actually needed some players. This was blatantly obvious, a managerial mistake, one that cost us and is why we had such a poor start to the season. Now most of us fans on this forum could see that happening a mile away even before Wenger himself. Now why is that?
    Also if players get ridiculed, they only have themselves to blame. I for one will not sit here and sugar coat things when our team is harboring a bunch of deadwood only rotting our club. Plain and simple, Arshavin’s performances have been poor, not because of the fans, not because of anything or anyone else BUT himself.

    It’s called constructive criticism, players and the manager need to man up and take up the responsibility or leave.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1

  37. lawrence gf says:

    Big gun – u on point there.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  38. HARRY COOPER says:

    we need a game changer arshavin is not 1!

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2

  39. Pires.nuff said. says:

    @ ALex: WELL BLOODY SAID. AA23 is quality he has shown it e.g barca but he needs to start matches not come on after 80mins, he started against Leeds and he played allot better, we love you Arsene, but now since Gerviniho has gone to Africa start Arshavin.,play him in the right position, and let Arshavin rule the premier league AGAIN!

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  40. lawrence gf says:

    Make sure Tv’s are re-tuned to recieve channel 5 next season….

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1

  41. kenny says:

    listen, you lot aint arsenal fans wenger has run this club for over 15 years SUCCESFULLY and you mugs think you could handle the pressure chucking every name we been linked to into the hat dont make me laugh arsene is king show some respect n do what you do best n leave arsene to do what he dpes best, do people tell you how to paint, lay bricks, what to invest in how about you take a back seat n let the master do his job if not then support tottenham n go back stab them im a gooner til i die i love arsenal with my life n i wish the best but u gota listen to arsene

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1

  42. Gbenga says:

    Its a pity reading through mails here now i know why wenger is making rash decisions on when to sell out,who to keep and who to buy.imagine players like arshavin still been allowed to warm the bench when.fine he was superb before gone are the days,premieship is now a new war where there is no more favourites.check out today at the hands of swansea?gosh.please lets ignore stats that wenger has been pointing at even today dhorou had a nice assist that resulted to our 2nd goal. so that arshavin gave assist doesnt hold. Or why is it there is it not to score goals and make assists?

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  43. RUS says:

    - good plaers … + many and Arshavin -bad?

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0



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