Global Russians. Andrey Arshavin

Moving on with the resume of the European season Sports.ru turns to yet another Russian footballer playing abroad. This time in the third episode of the Global Russians series it’s Arsenal attacking midfielder Andrey Arshavin who makes most assists in the team and is still loved by the fans, but doesn’t give enough interviews to English media. Roman Mun has asked London-based journalists Paul Doyle from the Guardian and John Cross from the Daily Mirror about their opinion on Arshavin in the past season and his future prospects at Arsenal, as well as recollected what the London press had been saying about the Russian.

What do you think of his performance in this season?

John Cross: He’s had some brilliant displays, has played a lot of games and contributed a lot to the team. But I always feel he can do more. He is so talented and maybe that’s why there is some frustration around him.

Paul Doyle: Arshavin has been mostly disappointing this season even though his statistics show the he created more assists than any other Arsenal player. He still does not contribute as much as he should, for long periods in games he disappears. He only really seems interested when he has the ball – otherwise he does not really help win it back. There are questions about his attitude too: he is one of the most experienced players in a young Arsenal team, but he does not show any leadership qualities. Arsene Wenger, who really likes him as a person and as a player, says that the player is too self-critical and needs to be constantly reminded how good he is.

What is the opinion of the club’s fans about him?

John Cross: The fans still like him because of his ability and skill. He is a special and gifted player. But a growing minority are fed-up with him for doing silly things, like at Stoke when he conceded a stupid free kick for the first goal which led to a comprehensive defeat.

Paul Doyle: Arsenal fans need to be reminded how good he is too: he looked like becoming a hero when he first arrived (remember his four goals at Liverpool?), but he has failed to progress since then and fans wonder about his commitment.

How is his English? Does he give interviews to local media?

John Cross: His English is good but he does far more interviews for the Russian media. He is very direct in what he says and sometimes his manner and forthright views translate in a way which makes him look like he is often critical without accepting too much blame on his own shoulders. I have interviewed him on a one-on-one basis and liked him and his open manner.

Paul Doyle: He rarely does interviews with the English media and when negative comments that he makes about Arsenal/England in the Russian media are reported in England, the club blames bad translations. Yet because of the way he plays on the pitch (sometimes looking disinterested) many believe he is not really happy in England. Again, that could be misinterpreting his body language. However, that does not mean people do not like him: on the contrary, his website suggests that he is clever and funny.

Does he have a future at his club?

John Cross: I think if Arsenal got a good offer for him this summer they would sell him and I think Andrey knows this. He has two years left on his contract, still has a big value and maybe it’s time for change. I feel he’s often wasted just playing wide and he’s not a player who tracks back defensively to any great effect. He’s been a good player for Arsenal without fulfilling his true potential and ability in the Premier League maybe because of the style and pace of English football. Good memories but some frustration.

Paul Doyle: Possibly. It depends on whether Wenger believes he can recapture his good early form or not. Based on his performances in the second half of this season in particular, Arsenal need a better player in his position and they might just buy one this summer (Eden Hazard?).

January

Arsene Wenger insists he is ‘desperate’ to keep Andrey Arshavin and blamed the midfielder’s recent poor run of form on fatigue. The Arsenal boss said: «He will not leave. I’m very happy with Arshavin. (…) I personally believe he is a great player. He is going through a period that’s a bit difficult at the moment but he works very hard in training and I’m desperate to keep him. He’s played every single game since the start of the season and he’s also played for the national team (Russia). He is physically maybe not as fresh.» The Daily Mail

February

Some Arsenal supporters may bemoan the lack of transfer activity last month as the club push for silverware on four fronts but a rejuvenated Andrey Arshavin could inject fresh impetus akin to a new signing. The playmaker’s talent has never been in doubt but questions have been raised over his attitude during an alarming slump in form that has prompted speculation he may leave this summer. The Evening Standard

May

Arsenal are prepared to sell Andrey Arshavin in the summer to fund the building of a new squad. Arsène Wenger has begun to cast the net for new signings and is understood to have indicated that Arshavin is surplus to requirements at the Emirates Stadium. The club would want to recoup the £15m that they paid to Zenit St Petersburg in January 2009 and could reason that now is the time to do so, as Arshavin has two years to run on his contract and there has been little desire on either side to open negotiations over fresh terms. The difficulty, though, would be to find a club willing to match his £85,000-a-week wage. The Guardian