The ideal solution to the Arshavin problem
I think it’s fair to say that Arsenal fan patience with Russian International Andrei Arshavin has finally run out. His completely ineffectual cameo against City on Sunday could well prove to be the kiss of death for his Premier League career. All the talent in the world means naught if you don’t have the fitness levels to back it up in combination with the will and mentality to see out a game.
It’s telling that the last two meaningful Arsenal shots on Joe Hart’s goal came from Thomas Vermaelen, a man with a genuine never-say-die attitude. All I can remember from Arshavin is a dirt poor cross, which had the delivery been better would likely have resulted in a goal.
With Gervinho off to the African Cup of Nations and Chu-Young Park not offering a real alternative, I think it’s fair to say that Arsenal ought to bring somebody else in.
Some may suggest promoting the likes of Tomas Rosicky , Yossi Benayoun or Oxlade-Chamberlain, but they are all either too old or too raw. What’s really needed to replace Arshavin is a player as influential as the diminutive Russian was when he first arrived at the club.
The usual names will be tossed out: Lukas Podolski (yes please), Eden Hazard (we can dream) and Goetze (who can play on the wings as well as in the centre of midfield) but I think Wenger should also give heavy considerations to Xherdan Shaqiri.
Shaqiri has come on leaps and bounds during his time at FC Basel and his rise to prominence culminated in him providing the two assists that saw Man United tumble out the Champions League. At just 5”7 he certainly wouldn’t add any height to this Arsenal side, yet neither did Arshavin. What’s needed is his direct running, dynamism and his eye for a pass.
Indeed, he strikes me as the perfect antidote to Arshavin. What impresses about Shaqiri at just 20-years-old is his hunger and work-rate. He’s like a grass-powered dynamo, fizzing across the pitch, eager to make things happen. It’s all a far cry from Arshavin’s tepid, effort-free approach to the game.
Of course, in all likelihood Wenger won’t buy this kind of player during the January transfer window. Maybe he’ll instead seek to address the Gunner’s full-back problem. Of course that wont stop fans dreaming of the possibilities and surely Shaqiri is one of the very best?
Article courtesy of Harry Cloke from This is Futbol
FREE football app that pays you CASH
Football News 24/7
Thomas Vermaelen, a man with a genuine never-say-die attitude.These are the players we need at Arsenal. The Patrick, Dallas, Soul, and the like.
Reply
In fact, Arshavin is only one of a succession of talented players who seem to have quickly lost self confidence and the will to perform after joining Arsenal. Hleb,Flamini,Denilson,Nasri, Chamakh, all went the same way. Perhaps its the constant criticism from wayward and sometimes downright infantile supporters. Or maybe its having to sit on the bench week after week while less talented players are favoured by the boss, to be brought on with 5 or 10 minutes remaining, and then criticised again for not immediately setting up a match winner single handedly. Rather than the ‘Arshavin problem’, I would call it the ‘Wenger problem’. But we aren’t allowed to say that, are we?
Reply