It was a much needed league win over Aston Villa last weekend. However the most significant aspect on that win was not the three points but the performance of Andrey Arshavin.
The little Russian has so far this season, not shown the form that we know he is capable of. He work rate is also way below the others. Indeed I even called for him to be benches given how ineffective he was in previous games.
However, I was heartened to see what a good performance he put out at Villa Park. Not only did he scored the opening goal, there was more pace and creativity to his play. Many a time he just zipped past the fullback to create opportunities for the cross. He was orchestrating the attack in the absence of Fabregas and laid several chances for likes of Nasri, Chamakh and Wilshere.
Being Russian I suppose he does not take warm weather all that well and the current cold spell is bringing out the best in him. Whatever it is, we need Arshavin in this kind of form as we maintain the push for trophies on four fronts.
Submitted by The Arsenal Kid
perrygrovesworld
December 5, 2010 at 10:31 am
He may be playing well but its not the weather; he complained recently that it was too cold on the English football fields as in Russia they have a winter break during the coldest weather… So don’t fall for the stereotypes.
Kerresh
December 5, 2010 at 2:10 pm
I wish d winter would last forever!
davepain
December 5, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Have you not heard Arshavin complaining about the cold weather in England??
They don’t play football in the coldest parts of the year!
Pavel
December 5, 2010 at 5:23 pm
The weather doesn’t matter actually (russian season ends in Dec when it may be much colder and snowy), he’s just getting fit after last year’s troubles. Hope he avoids injures and we see a real Arshavin soon.