Arsenal Ace Not Happy With 30 Goals & 34 Assists

Joining Arsenal during the January transfer window for an undisclosed fee in 2009, Andrei Arshavin made an immediate impact, settling in well at his new club. During his first half a season with Arsenal, he played 15 games, scoring 6 goals and assisting 9.

He scored double that amount during his first full season at the club and has grabbed 30 goals overall in his time at the Emirates, assisting 34. However, he doesn’t believe he has been good enough.

The Russian international spoke to Arsenal’s match-day programme ahead of his sides 0 – 0 Champions League draw with Marseille on Tuesday, and summarised briefly how he feels his time at Arsenal has gone. He said:

“Speaking honestly, I think my performances have been average. I’ve done some good things, but I don’t assess my game on goals or assists – I look at the whole picture.”

“Normally when I’m on the pitch I take control of a game, but I haven’t done that here. I’m an extra tool in the team rather than the main one, so it’s been different.”

The 30 year-old is constantly backed by his manager, Arsene Wenger, saying recently of his attacking midfielder: “he’s an exceptional talent Andrey, everybody knows that.” Sometimes, Arshavin can get lost in an occasion, but quite often, he stands out as one of Arsenal’s best. Perhaps what the former Zenit St Petersburg man needs in his game is a bit more consistency.