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Andrei Arshavin: Arsenal's Added Cutting Edge
By Rory Tevlin
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Photo: epltalk.com
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Football fans are not the most patient of breeds and short
memories are part and parcel of the game. As Arsenal hit top form and
sit comfortably within the coveted Champions League places, few Gunners
will recall that spell between January and February when their attack
floundered haplessly.
Shorn of their captain Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal stumbled to three consecutive
goalless draws in the league at the Emirates and left Arsene Wenger's
side desperate for extra attacking impetus. Since the beginning of March
Arsenal have scored 22 goals in just seven games in the Premier League
and are repaying their manager's abundant faith in their ability.
Attacking abandon has returned to North London and is encapsulated in
the form of Russian wizard Andrei Arshavin. Arsene Wenger's theory of
a six-month bedding in period for foreign players arriving in the Premier
League has been thoroughly tested by a player who has provided six goals
and six assists since his big money transfer from Zenit St. Petersburg
in January.
Wenger's distaste for the January transfer window is well known but this
season he cast those prejudices aside and spent big. That confidence is
now being rewarded in spades by a player who looks to the manor born in
the hectic pace of the Premier League.
From his stunning strike against Blackburn to his four goal spree at Anfield,
the diminutive Russian has added an extra dimension to Arsenal's attacking
play. Arshavin's blend of vision, pace and technique has spurred the Gunners
on and dovetailed superbly with the return to the team of captain and
totem, Fabregas.
Against Middelsbrough on Sunday the Spaniard and Arshavin once again hinted
at a creative partnership that could be the envy of the league next season.
With Fabregas deployed in a more attacking role the pair linked up fabulously
throughout the match, Arshavin displaying a sublime range of passing.
There may have been a couple of comical efforts on goal thrown in but
once again Arshavin was bright and industrious. Arsenal followers must
wince at his omission from the starting line-up for the FA Cup semi-final
against Chelsea.
Arshavin's signing has been hugely important on the pitch as his arrival
has re-ignited Arsenal's season and seemingly put to bed the challenge
of Aston Villa for the last Champions League spot. Equally significant
though has been the symbolic effect his transfer has had at the North
London club. After losing established players like Flamini and Hleb last
summer many in the media have been labeling Arsenal a 'selling club' that
fails to hold on to their big players.
This perception may be off the mark but there certainly seemed to be an
unease emanating from the dressing room over Arsenal's transfer policy.
At different times this season both Fabregas and Robin Van Persie have
commented publicly on Arsenal's need to show a little more ambition in
the transfer market. By signing Arshavin Arsenal have certainly done that
and shown that when the player is right Wenger is not afraid to loosen
the purse strings. Arshavin has adapted to Arsenal's distinct style almost
immediately and is clearly revered by his teammates.
Arsenal fans may have to sit through another summer of transfer speculation
over Cesc Fabregas but this signing should go a long way to convincing
those at the club that Arsenal mean business. It is amazing the difference
a couple of months and an infusion of Russian class can make.
EPT-Talk,
April 27, 2009
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