Arshavin: I've lost my style
Arsenal striker Andrey Arshavin says he has lost the style that made him one of the most sparkling forwards in Europe.
Arshavin claims his main role in a football team has changed since he moved to Arsenal from Zenit in 2009. He puts this down to the extra responsibility that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gives to higher profile players at the club.
The forward has been relatively successful during his time at Arsenal although it's clear he is craving some silverware. He has scored 18 goals in 45 appearances, which famously includes four that he score in a single match against Liverpool.
Arshavin says there are many parts of his game that can get better and help him to get the sparkle back that he believes he has lost. Arsenal do not have a squad filled with the best players that money can buy, which will make this difficult.
Get the sparkle back
Arshavin says that he has to play a more disciplined role in the Arsenal team because of the pressure that is linked with the club and the Premier League. At Zenit in Russia he was effectively given free reign to express himself but this is not something he can do all the time at Arsenal.
He is at his best when he is playing just behind a main striker. Arsenal is a football club that is not lacking in strikers and because of this the Russian often has to play out on the left slightly.
This means he cannot come inside as often because he has to add the support to the wide areas of the pitch. He still has plenty of opportunity to express himself through skill and it's important he does so in order for Arsenal to be successful.
He said: "The year and a half in England has significantly changed me. As for football I can say that my style has also altered, it is more effective, but less sparkling. I don't remember when was the last time I scored a really beautiful goal. It is frustrating. I tried to analyse this, but can find no answers."
Extra responsibility
Arsenal players have extra responsibility in a side because the club cannot benefit from calling upon a world class player to come in and fill a gap. This forces Arsenal's players to be more versatile and it's something that Arshavin clearly finds frustrating.
However, Wenger has not changed his policy at the club ever since he became the Arsenal manager. He does not spend big money and he will not do so in the near or distant future.
Arshavin added: "It is likely that my injuries last year had an effect, because on three occasions I was out for a month, but it is feeble to talk about injuries."
Betting advice
Arshavin is a very talented and creative player. It will be very tempting to back him in every single game that Arsenal play but you have to look at the context of his position and where he is likely to be on the field before you do back him.
If Arsenal play him where he is best then he has the ability to blow away the opposition. Arsenal does not always allow him to play in his strongest position but the four goals in one game against Liverpool proved what he is capable of.
There is no reason not to back Arsenal to win trophies at this stage of the season. They are still competing for everything and look quite good based on their first games in the Premier League this year.
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