Arsenal: Andrei Arshavin's form essential for Gunners part 1
Arsenal will take on Partizan Belgrade in an away fixture in the UEFA Champions League tonight. Gunners will hope to earn the full quota of points after they lost to a newly promoted West Bromwich Albion on the weekend. Arsenal players should take it as
an opportunity to gain a little bit of redemption.
After a disappointing weekend, Arsenal now has a golden chance to regain their confidence before next weeks’ fixture against Chelsea.
However, for the game against Partizan, Arsenal is without a number of key players. Arsenal veteran keeper is sidelined because of an elbow injury. Gunners’ skipper, Cesc Fabregas is also out of action. Gunners’ talented defender Thomas Vermaelen is also
suffering from an Achilles injury. Along with these players, Van Persie, Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner are all sidelined.
It is imperative for Arsenal that a petite Russian, who plays on the flanks, steps up the heat in the absence of key players. So far, Andrei Arshavin has had an inconsistent season, providing flashes of brilliance, but has not been able to perform consistently
for the Gunners.
The Russian skipper was quite woeful against Liverpool and Sunderland, but can be a brilliant player on any day like his remarkable performance in the 4-4 draw against Liverpool at Anfield, two seasons ago. Arshavin scored all four goals for the Gunners.
Arshavin became the first player to score four league goals at Anfield against Liverpool since 1946.
The 29-year old could prove to be the difference in a lot of games. Without a doubt Arshavin is a game changer. Last season Arshavin scored a wonderful long range goal, which was just impossible for Liverpool’s keeper to stop. That goal gave the Gunners
the lead and proved to be the winner. The goal came at a time when the Gunners needed it the most and it proved to be inspirational for Arsenal.
Another memorable example of his abilities was his strike at Old Trafford, last year to give Arsenal the lead, though it couldn't help Arsene Wenger’s team earn points on their away trip.
Arshavin’s performances have come under scrutiny, and many people have declared him lazy for his anonymity in the games against Sunderland and Liverpool. But, this is a player, who could change the season on his own, and also provides vital experience to
the young Arsenal players. Therefore, Arshavin needs the backing of ‘The Professor’, his team mates and fans in this period, which is not such a good patch for him.
The talented Russian skipper was signed from Zenit in January’s transfer window for an undisclosed fee. Arshavin’s signing was one of the most dramatic signings in football history. Arsene Wenger signed the experienced Russian in the closing moments of the
transfer window deadline. All the credit went to Arsene Wenger for signing such a sensation, which proved its worth in the later stages.
Since then, Arshavin formed a formidable attack with Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott. Arshavin’s sheer pace earned him a permanent place in the starting eleven of the Gunners. Most of the people used to call Arshavin a perfect replacement for the legendary
Arsenal left forward Thierry Henry.
Arshavin is a consistent player for the Gunners. Arshavin has managed sixty-four appearances since joining Arsenal. In that time period, the Russian forward scored twenty-two goals and assisted twenty-three goals.
Moreover, Arshavin is one of the most experienced players in the young Arsenal squad. The 28-year old also skippered the Gunners in the absence of Cesc Fabregas. Arsenal skipper, Cesc Fabregas is huge admirer of the Russian as he was quoted saying that
he felt honoured playing with Arshavin.
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