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Four-goal Arshavin still needs time to adapt
Andrei Arshavin maintains there is plenty more
to come from him after the Russian's four goals put a massive dent in
Liverpool's title bid at Anfield on Tuesday night.
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Arsenal's Andrei Arshavin celebrates scoring
his third goal against Liverpool / Photo GettyImages
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The 27-year-old produced a brilliant individual display
as Arsenal almost snatched victory over the Reds, but were once again
undone by poor defending as Yossi Benayoun grabbed an equaliser deep into
stoppage time as an amazing match ended 4-4.
Arshavin cannot play in the Champions League semi-final against Manchester
United as he turned out for Zenit St Petersburg earlier in this season's
competition.
However, the deadline-day signing - left on the bench for most of the
FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday - insists his
display last night is only the start of things to come.
"I do not think I have adapted yet because in the first half I was
quiet, except for the one moment when I scored," the Russian said.
"It is difficult, but I will try - I need time. I am a new player,
I have to go through [my own] pre-season and then everything will be better."
Arshavin added: "I had only scored a hat-trick twice in my career.
"I feel good, but also disappointed because we did not get the victory.
"Both teams wanted to win. What can I say? It was unbelievable football,
but that is England for you."
Arsenal - now unbeaten in the Premier League for 19 matches - host Middlesbrough
on Sunday before heading to Old Trafford for the first leg of their European
tie on April 29.
Manager Arsene Wenger accepts his makeshift defence - which could have
first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Almunia back from an ankle injury - must
cut out costly basic errors.
He said: "The big regret we have is that 10 minutes into the second
half we were 2-1 down, but not from something created by Liverpool - it
was from balls we did not clear properly from the back.
"Now we want to continue our unbeaten run in the Premier League and
also qualify in the Champions League."
Soccernet.espn.go.com,
April 22, 2009
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