Andrei Arshavin: Arsenal Needs a Miracle to Win EPL

Andrei Arshavin has stated that Arsenal needs a fitness miracle to win the title of English Premier League this season. He said this because now the main problem of this club is that many of its top players are suffering from injury and in most of the matches, the coach has to field a weaker team as many players are not available.

"My greatest dream is to win a title with my club. Naturally, it would be better if we won the Premier League or the Champions League. But to do this we need a miracle - which is to start playing finally with our best line-up! I do not think we have had it once so far this season, he said."

Starting with the best line up has become an impossible dream for the Gunners this season. 

Andrei Arshavin about Playing in Arsenal and English Premier League

Andrei Arshavin came to Arsenal almost a year ago and from first, he became the favorite player to the fans. He not only scored goals but also, he always supported others and he scored some very important goals in important matches. He recently, said to Sky Sports that surviving in Premier league is tougher than he thought.

"I expected before I moved to England, if you are a good player if you play for a big team it is easier. But even if you play against Burnley or Wolverhampton, it is not easy - you don't have time to turn or do any dribbling, if you get two touches you're lucky,” said the Russian playmaker.

He is right. English Premier League is now the best football league in the world. You can never take any match for granted here. Best example was that last week, Manchester United and Liverpool both lost while Chelsea could just manage a draw. 

Andrei Arshavin Full of Praise about Arsene Wenger

Andrei Arshavin has recently been full of praise about Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. The Russian playmaker has said that Wenger is a revered figure at Arsenal and he deserves the praises for his success with the North London club. Indicating the previous glory Arsenal got under the guidance of Wenger, Arshavin has said that the time will come again at Arsenal. He thinks that Arsenal is only second to Barcelona when it comes to attacking football and believes that the current season will be better for the Gunners, even though they may not win the Champions League title this season.

Arsenal is currently at the fourth position in the premier league with 18 points from 8 matches. Well, I think, Gunners are strong enough to make a strong challenge for the premier league title this season. The good thing for Arsenal is that a number of injured players are coming back to action and they now have some quality bench players as well. Even if Arsenal can not win any title this season, they are still growing up as a very strong team. One thing seems that Arsenal would be back to winning years very soon.

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Daily Mail

Andrei Arshavin Says Stars will Leave EPL due to Increasing Tax in England

Arsenal star Andrei Arshavin has said that English Premier League will lose many stars in future due to the country’s increasing tax. Recently, UK government has increased its tax from 40 percent to 50 percent. That means half of what players earn playing in Premier league would now go to UK government. No doubt, the percent of tax is really huge in England. That is why, many players do not prefer coming to England and playing in premier league; rather they want to play in other European leagues like Spanish La Liga.

Russian international Arshavin also believes that many star players would leave England for Spanish clubs or other European clubs due to England’s huge tax. For example, tax rate in Spain is just 27 percent, almost half of the tax rate in UK. The Russian playmaker has also said that he is enjoying his life in London, except the huge tax that he has been paying in England.

There is no doubt, many star players could leave England, if the government does not decrease its tax rate in future. In that case, English premier league would be the ultimate loser. Here, I think, England government should bring some changes in its tax policy at least for the players because if EPL loses star players then global interest would shift from England to Spain or other leagues. In that case, EPL would not remain as profitable as it is now thanks to huge fan base across the world. If it happens, then EPL would not be able to contribute to the UK economy.

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Telegraph

Andrei Arshavin Looking to Retire at Arsenal

(This entry was originally published on Tuesday, March 24th, 2009)

Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin, who joined Arsenal in winter on a club record deal, has recently expressed that he could retire from football at Arsenal. His £15million move to Arsenal from Zenit St Petersburg came at the very last moment of transfer deadline. Now that he is in Arsenal and has already started showing his skill and talent, it is expected that Arsenal has finally found a creative midfielder who could dictate the game and enhanced the overall strength of Arsenal team.

Well, Arshavin is yet to go a long way to meet the expectations of Arsenal fans. However, there is no question over his class, talent and creative spark. Arshavin has recently said that his Arsenal teammates have been friendly with him and he is hopeful that Arsenal would be his last club to finish his career.

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Thisislondon

Andrei Arshavin in Arsenal: Has Arsene Wenger Found the Right Man?

(This entry was originally posted on Friday, February 6th, 2009)

Following a prolonged transfer saga, Russian star Andrei Arshavin finally signed a contract with Arsenal just few minutes before the January transfer deadline closed at 05:00 pm on 2 February. However, reports out in the media suggest that the deal required time extension (for about 10 minutes) by FA to come into existence, but the player and Arsenal dismissed these reports, claiming that they were waiting for FA to accept the deal officially before they made it public. In fact, Arsenal confirmed the deal officially almost 24 hours after the transfer deadline had closed. Andrei Arshavin broke the club record by signing a contract deal worth £15million (excluding £1.5million paid to Zenit for Arshavin breaking the long-term contract with the club).

Arsenal is not well-known for big amount signing, but still, the Arshavin deal did not come out of blue for the Gunners fans as they knew that manager Arsene Wenger had been tracking the Russian playmaker since last Summer. Now, the question is if Wenger has at last found someone in Andrei Arshavin who could add what Arsenal has been missing for the last few years. What did Wenger exactly see special in Arshavin?

The answer is creativity. Yes, Wenger believes that Arshavin would provide Arsenal the creative spark that the North London club has been missing over the last few years. Terming him talented, intelligent and motivated, Wenger even also believes that Arshavin would make an impact at Arsenal. Well, there is no doubt about the talent and skill of the 27-year-old attacking midfielder who has already proven his match winning ability for Zenit St Petersburg and Russian national team. I can still remember his match winning performance against Netherlands in the quarter final of Euro 2008.

I think, Arshavin has everything to add creativity at Arsenal midfield. With his agility, excellent shooting power, super ball controlling ability and understanding of the match, Arshavin could bring back what Arsenal has been missing since Thierry Henry left the club. Arshavin can score himself from the midfield as well as set up for others. So, his presence can make an instant impression at the club and would influence the club’s performance. He can receive the ball well and control the ball with sheer skill.

Specialist at free kick, Arshavin can score goals at crucial situations. The most important quality the Russian possesses is perhaps his ability to remain cool in front of goal. His style of football reflects Arsenal’s traditional style of counter attacking football in which attacking players need to have the ability to receive the across-the-field passes and throughs successfully and must have great run and ball controlling ability. All of these qualities exist in Andrei Arshavin. It would not be fair to expect a Midas touch from Arshavin from the beginning of his Arsenal career, but it is, for sure, that he could be an effective player at the club in the coming years.

Arsenal is now virtually out of the premier league race this season, standing fifth in the league table. In fact, their main goal now is to finish the season in the top four to ensure their Champions league qualification next season. However, I do not think that Arsenal would start getting result of such a big buck deal right from the ongoing season because they are already way behind from the premier league title race, and Arshavin is cup tied- meaning he would not be able to play at the knock out stage of Champions League this season. Moreover, a number of key players like Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas are currently injured out, while midfielder Tomas Rosicky has been out of action for a long time. When all of them would return in action, I would say, Arsene Wenger would have a squad to make a serious bid for silverware that Arsenal has been missing for the last three seasons.

One thing that Arsenal fans might worry about Arshavin is definitely his age. He is already 27 and it remains to be seen for how long Andrei Arshavin would be able to continue his sparkling form at the North London club.

Arsenal Signed Andrei Arshavin for an Undisclosed Fee

(This entry was originally posted on Thursday, February 5th, 2009)

Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin has at last joined English club Arsenal, ending all those speculations regarding his much-waited move to North London in winter. However, he signed for the contract on Tuesday 24-hours after the winter transfer window closed down on Monday.

However, Andrei Arshavin has recently claimed that he put pen on paper at 16.58 London time London time, even two minutes before the transfer deadline. Well, his claim contradicts with the announcement of Zenit spokesman Alex Petrov who at 17.03 on Monday announced through a Russian television that the deal with Arsenal had not come into existence.

Well, whatever it is, the thing is that Arsenal now has a experienced attacking midfielder like Andrei Arshavin who, manager Arsene Wenger believes, could give Arsenal the creative spark. However, the transfer fee and the duration of the deal is yet to be disclosed by the clubs.

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Telegraph

Arsene Wenger: Andrei Arshavin Would Give Arsenal the Creative Spark

(This entry was first posted in Saturday, January 31st, 2009)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is still hopeful about the month long transfer talk for the Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin who is thought to be on the verge of getting signed by the North London club before the transfer window closes. Zenit St Petersburg is demanding £15 million for the player, while Arsenal is reportedly short of £3 million to Zenit’s demand. Well, Wenger still believes that Arshavin can bring the creative spark at the club which, he thinks, has been missing for a long time now. Now, let us see if Arshavin really moves to Arsenal in January transfer window.

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Times online

Andrei Arshavin to Go on Strike?

(This entry was first posted in Saturday, January 24th, 2009)

Arsenal has been linked with Russian midfielder Andrei Arshavin since last summer, and for the last one month, Arshavin’s likely move to Arsenal has been apparent. However, Arsenal could not yet come under an agreement with Arshavin’s current club Zenit St Petersburg. Arsenal’s bid for the player did not match the amount demanded by Zenit. The Russian club initially demanded £20 million. Following Arsenal’s £12 million bid for Arshavin being rejected, Zenit reportedly decreased their demand to £18 million later on. So, it has been reported that the star midfielder might go on strike in protest if Zenit fails to make a deal with Arsenal.

Goal.com reported:

“I told Arsenal already that we don’t accept the £12m and they know it very well,” he said before adding, “If we were very close to each other, if it was a similar price, then we would need a meeting to talk about it.”

“I talk with Ken Friar, who is the managing director, and John Smith, who is the agent for Arsenal,” explained Mitrofanov, “I know that they have discussed everything with Arshavin.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is not yet confirmed if Arsenal would be able to land the Russian star at Emirates stadium. Wenger, however, indicated that the club would not be able to spend an amount which they can not afford to. So, it seems that Arsenal may not launch an improved offer for Arshavin. Now, let us see if the deal comes into existence in the end and Arshavin would move to Arsenal.

Zenit Sent Invitation to Arsenal for a Negotiation over Andrei Arshavin Deal

(This entry was originally published on Saturday, January 17th, 2009)

Andrei Arshavin is still on course to make a move to Arsenal in the ongoing transfer window. Arsenal has been in talks with the Russian midfielder’s current club Zenit St Petersburg to sign the player and has already had a bid rejected for Arshavin. Now, Zenit has asked Arsenal officials to visit St Petersburg next Tuesday to negotiate a possible deal for the player. With this invitation, Zenit has shown a gesture of interest to make a way to accelerate the seemingly deal for the star player.

Zenit initially valued Andrei Arshavin at £20 million, while Arsenal made a bid of around £10 million which was rejected by the Russian giants. Reports available in the media suggest that Zenit is now demanding £12 million for Arshavin. Now, it is yet to see if Arsenal would launch an improved bid for the players in the coming days.

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Goal.com

Zenit Confirmed the Rejection of Arsenal Bid for Andrei Arshavin

(This entry was first published on Sunday, January 11th, 2009)

Zenit St Petersburg has confirmed that Arsenal has made £ 10 million bid for Andrei Arshavin, but it is nowhere close to their demand of £ 20 million and they have recently rejected the offer. Alexei Petrov, Zenit spokesperson, has recently confirmed this news. Both the clubs are still negotiating for a possible deal for the Russian midfielder.

soccer365 reported:

“I can confirm that Zenit did get an official offer from Arsenal about Andrei Arshavin,” Petrov told the Mail on Sunday.

“They offered about GBP 10 million. No new offers have arrived from them since. At the moment, Arsenal are the only club to have approached us about the player,” he added.

Saying that Arsenal is the only club who are currently in the race to sign Arshavin, Zenit spokesperson Petrov is trying to attract more clubs for Arshavin and increase the price of the player as much as possible. He has also indicated that Arsenal has not approached any new bid thereafter, and thus, he seems to be trying to lure other clubs to make an improved bid and snatch Arshavin from Arsenal’s grip. Now, let us see if Arsene Wenger would make another improved bid for the player in the coming weeks.

Arsene Wenger: Keeping the Players We Have is the First Priority

(This entry was originally published on Saturday, January 10th, 2009)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that he will not sell any player in January transfer window and his first priority is to ensure the current players stay at the club, before going to buy new player. For the last couple of weeks, there was a rumor that Kolo Toure was going to leave Arsenal and join Manchester City, who were reportedly ready to pay about £10 million for Toure, following Toure’s recent fall out with former captain William Gallas. After that Toure also requested Arsenal for a move, but later on he came out of his stand and decided to stay. Perhaps, that is the reason, Wenger handed Kolo Toure the captain’s arm band in Arsenal’s recent 1-0 premier league victory over Bolton Wanderers in the absence of injured regular captain Cesc Fabregas.

Arsene Wenger has also hinted that he would not buy any defender in January and it seems that his only target in January transfer window is Russian striker Andrei Arshavin. Arsenal has reported made a bid of £12m for the Zenit midfielder, but the amount is still unmatched with £20 million demanded by Zenit. Wenger has also warned Zenit that Arsenal can not spend the money that they don’t have. Now, let us see if Andrei Arshavin can really move to Arsenal in January transfer window.

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Times Online

Arsenal and Zenit in Talk over Andrei Arshavin Deal

(This entry was originally published on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009)

You already know that Russian midfielder Andrei Arshavin has been linked with a likely move to English club Arsenal during January transfer window. Reports also suggest that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is also reportedly interested to land the striker at the Emirates stadium to bolster his midfield in the absence of play-maker Cesc Fabregas who has been sidelined last month for four month after picking up a hamstring injury.

Arshavin’s current club Zenit St Petersburg values their biggest asset at £20m which is reportedly at least £5m less than what Arsenal offered in their recent bid. However, the negotiations are going on. Both the clubs are still in talk over Andrei Arshavin’s move and the player himself is not hoping that the two clubs will come to an agreement in this regard. Zenit coach Dick Advocaat confirmed that the preliminary talks between the two clubs over a possible deal for the play maker had taken place.

Reports suggest that Wenger was not interested to buy in January transfer window, but the French veteran changed his decision for an ‘exceptional talent’ like Arshavin. In fact, Arshavin’s style of football goes with that of Arsenal. Now, let us see if the 27-year-old can at last join the North London club.

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Guardian

Andrei Arshavin: Hopeful of Better Performance Next Season

Many Arsenal fans have started to love Andrei Arshavin because of his good performance. He joined middle of the season and it is better to say that he joined towards the end of the season and he scored a number of goals. Not only that, he also scored four goals against Liverpool and this performance made him very popular among fans. Arshavin is also very good in creating opportunity for other players and it was the bad luck of Arsenal that he joined middle of the season. As a result, the Gunners could not have his service in Champions league trophy. This season, he was good, but he thinks that he will be better next season. Arshavin feels that next season, he can help Arsenal to win something. 

Andrey Arshavin: The Best is Yet To Come

Andrey Arshavin is not a new player in International football. Last year, in Euro 2008, he amazed most fans in home and abroad. Arsene Wenger became his fan and ensured his arrival in London. He just played in a few matches in the last days and has impressed many fans already. His goal against Blackburn Rovers perhaps reminded everyone that Arsene Wenger was a smart coach to go after him. In fact, he is confident that his best performance is yet to come. He feels that it will take some time for him to get used to London and England. Then he will try his best for his club.

I think that Andrey Arshavin has the right attitude and he can become a very good player in time. Well, it is too early but I can say that if he can continue trying this way with the right mind set then Andrey Arshavin will become another Arsenal Legend.

Andrei Arshavin out of Arsenal’s FA Cup Tie with Cardiff City

Andrei Arshavin will have to wait at least one more game for his Arsenal debut as he is ineligible for Arsenal’s FA Cup fourth round encounter with Championship outfit Cardiff City on 16 February. The first match was drawn at Cardiff, and now the replay match will take place at the Emirates Stadium of Arsenal. If the replay match also ends up in a draw, then extra time and penalty shootout will be used to break the tie.

Arshavin joined the North London club during January transfer window for a club record £16.5 million deal. As he was not registered when Arsenal took on Cardiff in the first match, Arshavin will not be able to part of Arsenal squad for this match. Arshavin was left in the substitute bench during Arsenal’s recent draw against Tottenham Hotspur on the road. Now, let us see for how long Andrei Arshavin will have to wait for his Arsenal debut.

Related article:

Goal.com