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Arsene Wenger can finally field Andrey Arshavin on the
biggest stage of all
Ву James Olley
Cynics would argue that Arsene Wenger has complained about an awful lot
in his footballing life but tonight could at least give some justification
to one of the Frenchman's more futile protests.
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Bright spark: Andrey Arshavin has the close
control, vision, creativity and adaptability to ignite any side
and his return to the European stage could set Arsenal on fire Photo
thisislondon.co.uk
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It appeared a little churlish last season when the 59-year-old
bemoaned Andrey Arshavin's ineligibility in Champions League competition,
having already taken part in European competition with former club St
Petersburg.
He even went as far as suggesting that UEFA review the ruling that prevents
a player representing two clubs in the same season in its competitions.
It is doubtful those in the corridors of power in Nyon even raised an
eyebrow but Wenger's remark conveyed the impact he clearly felt the 28-year-old
could have on the grandest stage in club football.
No one can say what difference he could have made to the tame semi-final
defeat by Manchester United, but Arshavin's first six months at Arsenal
were perhaps the principal cause for optimism following a fourth successive
fruitless campaign.
His transfer was a protracted affair but six goals in his first 14 games
- including four in one unforgettable night at Liverpool - and a quick
adaptation to the pace of the Premier League makes his inclusion in an
Arsenal European line-up for the first time tonight a compelling watch.
Celtic boss Tony Mowbray said: "He is a typical Arsenal footballer.
There was a lot of speculation after Euro 2008 if he was going to join
an English club and now he has we can see he is very gifted, bright and
intelligent.
"He recognises space so well. I sat in awe of him as I watched his
four goals at Anfield. He burst onto the scene and has become the talent
we all thought he was in the Euros.
"Arshavin is one of a collection of players they have that on their
day can hurt you and there is no point in trying to keep one of them quiet,
you have got to keep all of them quiet."
Indeed, and it is the fact that Arshavin offers something so different
is what makes him an integral part of Arsenal's composition.
Add to Arshavin's superb close control his vision, creativity and adaptability,
and you have a spark that can ignite a faltering side and a conduit through
which counter-attacks can flow.
Of course, now Arshavin is readily available, Wenger is more coy in heaping
expectation on any individual.
"Andrey is a very efficient player who can turn up at any moment
and make a difference but we do not focus on any individual," said
Wenger. "Our strength is our team play, because this team has been
educated 80-90 per cent together for four or five years and one target
is to develop the team play and not focus too much on individuals."
That focus would also not be swayed by the nagging feeling that a failure
to qualify for the lucrative Champions League is unthinkable in financial
terms.
Even excluding match-day revenue, Arsenal earned ?22.4million from their
run to last season's semi-final in television rights and merit money alone,
but Wenger refused to concede the financial constraints imposed by the
cost of Emirates Stadium has placed any greater emphasis on success.
Arsenal will face a searching examination in terms of the vociferous atmosphere
at Parkhead but the team that opposes them is something of an enigma.
Even the most partisan local here admits this present incarnation are
not up to the quality of previous Celtic sides but the Hoops have historically
risen to such occasions at home.
Although they have never met Arsenal, in 16 matches against English opposition
Celtic have lost only four times and have not been defeated on home soil
by a team from south of the border since 1983.
That said, defensively they remain vulnerable and appear ill-equipped
to take on Arsenal at their own game, but Mowbray is refusing to resort
to the physical approach that has undone the Gunners in the past.
"We won't do that because we don't really have the players to do
it," said the former West Brom manager. "We have to play to
our strengths and we know what quality they have."
Should Arshavin mirror in Europe the fast start made domestically, Wenger
will have few causes for complaint.
thisislondon.co.uk,
18.08.09
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