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Arsene Wenger hails Arsenal's new 'hardman' Andrey Arshavin
By John Cross
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Photo mirrorfootball.co.uk
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Andrey Arshavin was last night branded Arsenal's new hardman.
Arsene Wenger claimed the pint-sized Russian is every bit as tough as
legendary hardmen Martin Keown, Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Nigel Winterburn.
Wenger's compliment came after Arshavin demanded to play at Burnley tonight
- just 24 hours after being ruled out.
Arshavin hobbled off at Liverpool on Sunday with a badly bruised foot
after being Arsenal's hero at Anfield.
It left the Arsenal medical staff believing Arshavin would miss the trip
to Turf Moor but, despite being just 5ft 7in, the Russian is a "tough"
cookie, according to Arsene Wenger.
Arshavin will again lead Arsenal's attack as the smallest centre forward
in the Premier League but when it comes to determination and spirit there
are few like him.
Wenger yesterday called him an "exceptional" talent as Arshavin's never-say-die
spirit typified the win at Anfield and earned him glowing praise from
the Gunners boss.
"Arshavin is an exceptional player, he can play in any offensive position
he wants," said Wenger.
"On Monday, he was out of the game, the next day he is in. It's as miraculous
as that, I don't know if he has a miraculous healing process at home.
"He is a tough boy, always wants to play and that says a lot about his
spirit and determination."
Arshavin scored against Blackburn last season after refusing to come off
despite a serious cut to his foot which needed stitches and left a large
amount of blood in his boot.
Wenger said: "I've not met many with his pain threshold. I've had a few
- the Nigel Winterburns, Bouldy, Dixon, Keown - tough boys. Andrey is
a hard boy, especially for a forward."
Wenger admits that he will need all of his players to be tough at Burnley
as the newly-promoted club have lost just once at home this season and
have already beaten Manchester United at Turf Moor.
It will be a big test for the injury-hit Gunners who will use Arshavin
again as an emergency centre forward with Robin van Persie and Nicklas
Bendtner out injured.
Wenger has warned his players they will have to be at the top of their
game to see off Burnley where their heroics at Liverpool will count for
nothing.
"If you want to win the League you must go there and win," said Wenger.
"I always say on a Wednesday night you go to Sheffield United or to Sheffield
Wednesday or to Burnley, can you win the game? That's what it is about
in the Premier League.
"But I'm confident. The team needed a big win and the players are focused.
Anything can happen, but I don't believe we will go up there and not be
highly focused. We will be determined and highly concentrated."
Arsenal will be without injured midfielder Denilson for the trip to Burnley
after the Brazilian suffered a flare-up of his back injury.
Fit-again Abou Diaby is likely to come in while Mikael Silvestre with
replace left back Armand Traore who is out for ten days with a hamstring
strain.
But Emmanuel Eboue is fit again while Wenger insists that he will standby
keeper Manuel Almunia despite his shaky display at Liverpool.
Wenger added: "I have full confidence in him and I will pick him at Burnley.
I have watched the game against Liverpool well.
"The ball was deflected by Lucas and I did not see that during that game.
He came and Lucas touched the ball with his head and deflected the ball."
Mirrorfootball.co.uk,
15/12/09
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