|
Anfield wonder strike was better than four-goal haul,
says Arsenal hero Andrey Arshavin
By Ashley Gray
| |
|
|
Thumbs up: Arshavin salutes his strike at
Anfield Photo Getty Images
|
Andrey Arshavin says his weekend wondergoal against Liverpool
surpasses his four-goal haul he achieved against the Reds last season.
The Russia striker well and truly introduced himself to English football
in April by scoring all of Arsenal's goals in a 4-4 draw at Anfield.
But Arshavin is even more pleased with his rasping effort from the edge
of the box on Sunday, which left Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina stunned and
Arsenal with a 2-1 win.
'It was a case of one goal being much more valuable than four,' said the
28-year-old.
'One of the guys passed it from the right, then Theo jumped slightly under
the ball, I jumped out from behind the defender, controlled the ball and
then all I had to do was to drive it in.'
What is even more remarkable is that Arshavin blasted home with an injured
right foot, which had been giving him problems in training leading up
to the match.
He was replaced late in the game by Aaron Ramsey but insists he will not
give boss Arsene Wenger any more selection headaches by the time Wednesday's
trip to Burnley comes around.
'When I struck the ball, the pain worsened,' said Arshavin.
'The instep of my foot has been causing me pain for a long time, but I
want and I will play in the next game. If you get out on the pitch, you
just endure it and play.'
Arsenal turned around the match after some stern words at half-time from
Wenger, who suggested the Gunners struggled with confidence against big
clubs after losing to Manchester United and Chelsea earlier this season.
Dirk Kuyt's goal separated the teams at half-time, but a 50th-minute Glen
Johnson own goal, eight minutes before Arshavin's strike, turned the tables.
'In the second half we showed our character,' said Arshavin.
'We pressed our opponents, and it appeared that Liverpool were not so
strong in creating attacks.
'We were able to score two goals and it is important that our defense
was able to play very safe, not allowing the opponent to create anything
dangerous at the (Manuel) Almunia's goal.
| |
|
|
Kop that: Arshavin says his strike at Anfield
surpasses his four goal haul at Liverpool last season Photo Getty
Images
|
'In the first half, Liverpool dominated. They forced us
to play their way. The fans sang and drove them forward. The hosts built
the game in such way that we could not even get close to their goal.
'Their attacks, on the contrary, led to a goal.'
The result leaves Arsenal six points off the top of the table with a game
in hand on leaders Chelsea, while Liverpool are 13 points off the pace
with just three wins in the last 15 matches.
However, Arshavin still expects the Merseysiders to qualify for next season's
Champions League competition.
'They are a strong team,' said the former Zenit St Petersburg star.
'(Fernando) Torres is back in full training. I think that if they win
two or three games over the big clubs, they'll become favorites again.
'Probably, it will be extremely difficult for them to take first place,
but I think that they will certainly fight for a place in the top three.
'They are going to play many games at their home stadium, where the fans
will only drive them forward.
'Therefore, it is good that we are coming back to London from this stadium
with three points.
Sport
Express Daily, 14th December 2009
|
|
