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Andrey Arshavin Shows How Artistry Can Overcome Aggression
Russian inspires Gunners to put bad fortnight
behind them, writes Goal.com's Tim Collings...
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Back In Business: Arshavin Was The Star Against
Stoke As The Gunners Got Back To Winning Ways (Getty Images)
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Never mind the swathes of empty seats, the appalling weather
or the mediocre level of entertainment on an afternoon of attrition, this
was a day when the result was all that mattered for Arsenal and Arsene
Wenger.
Forget it was also Wenger's 500th Premier League match in charge, that
it was Cesc Fabregas's 250th appearance as a Gunner and the 100th home
fixture at the Emirates Stadium.
Instead, count the points and thank God for a reinvigorated Andrey Arshavin
whose opening goal after 26 minutes brought a sigh of relief after a week
of successive disappointments and mounting anxiety.
It may not have been a classic contest, but Arshavin's strike was a classy
one and in keeping with his all-round performance as a makeshift central
striker, often working alone up front after Eduardo had pulled out with
a late muscular problem. Wenger, curiously, preferred Arshavin at centre-forward
to Carlos Vela despite the Mexican's half-decent game at Manchester City
on Wednesday evening.
The Russian, who has worn a hangdog look since he failed to lead his nation
to the World Cup finals, reacted to his selection as the point of Arsenal's
attack with an industrious performance and the important breakthrough
goal against a tough Stoke City side that rarely threatened, but was difficult
to break down. Arshavin's goal came when he swapped passes with Fabregas
and guided a low shot beyond Thomas Sorensen. Pure Arsenal, pure joy again.
He also hit the bar with a deflected second-half shot and won a penalty,
wasted by captain Cesc Fabregas whose spot-kick was saved, when he was
tripped by Rory Delap in the opening half as the Gunners' battled to recover
form and pride following three successive domestic defeats.
That they triumphed 2-0 in the end, substitute Aaron Ramsey slotting the
ball home after a passing interchange with Arshavin, closely assisted
by Stoke defender Robert Huth, was as much down to mental attitude and
perseverance as their technical superiority, the second goal adding gloss
to an otherwise uninspiring result. For that, Arshavin deserves most of
the credit.
His all-round performance - after he had been among the leading voices
calling for Arsenal to go out and sign a tall, powerful centre-forward
in the January transfer window - was an ironic demonstration that a clever
player, of modest physical attributes, can lead a forward line as capably
as a big man, in the right circumstances.
It also endorsed his special value to the team as a match-winner, whatever
role he takes.
His intelligence, elusive running, clever use of angles, wonderful first
touch and ability to prompt penetrative combination play was at the heart
of much of Arsenal's best attacking football - particularly his understanding
with Fabregas, when the captain felt free to push forward thanks to the
cover provided by Denilson and Samir Nasri.
If the Catalan midfielder had enjoyed better luck, he might have scored
twice. His penalty was saved and a later shot, when following up after
an Armand Traore cross rebounded off a post, looked goal-bound until it
struck his hapless team-mate Emmanuel Eboue.
For Fabregas, it was that kind of day. But for Arsenal and Arshavin it
was a day to put the bad times behind them and beckon in a brighter future,
even if the sight of Traore being replaced, late on, by Mikael Silvestre,
suggested the left-back injury jinx may have struck again.
Tim Collings, Goal.com,
05-Dec-2009
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