When Andrei Arshavin scored four in front of a packed Anfield crowd a mere months after he signed for the Gunners from Zenit St Petersburg, Arsenals fan rightfully thought it was just the beginning, a prelude of greater things to come from the diminutive Russian whose scintillating performances back in the Euro 200 had caught the eye of many people including Arsene Wenger.
There sure has been some fantastic moments for the Russian in the Arsenal jersey but these were far too few and sporadic for a player of his talent and potential. There was the screamer at his favorite hunting ground, Anfield, there was the long range beauty against United and not to forget the goal that gave Arsenal their greatest win at the Emirates against the mighty Barcelona. There were a few more no doubt, but Arsenal fans saw a legend in Arshavin, all they got was an inconsistent genius that started to fade away.
His statistics are impressive and there is no two ways about it. With 10 goals and 17 assists, Arshavin’s stats are bettered by a very few in the current team. Yet the Russian captain has lacked the consistency of players like Jack Wilshere and Robin van Persie and hence sees him on the receiving end of some indifference from the Arsenal faithful.
Arshavin’s first season instantly made him a fan favorite as they were captivated by his four goal haul against then title challengers, Liverpool, in one of the best individual performances by an Arsenal player in a long time.
When he was signed in the winter of 2009, he became Wenger’s most expensive signing to date and justified his price tag in his first season. His trickery, flair and creativity rejuvenated the Gunners during a period when the Gunners were well and truly amidst real trouble as Aston Villa had control over fourth spot and the Gunners seemed destined for a UEFA Cup spot. But with Arshavin in the squad, the Gunners performed a turnaround and snatched fourth spot with consummate ease and ensuring that the Gunners played in Europe’s premier cup competition once again.
Ahead of his first full season, Arsenal fans were expecting much more of the same from the Russian. The seeds had been sown for Arshavin to explode in his second season but since his dazzling introduction into English football, the diminutive midfielder has merely flickered.
Last season he managed 12 goals and seven assists, which is definitely not too bad a tally but throughout the season, he was inconsistent and never really took off. He remain fairly subdued, failing to make a profound impact on Arsenal’s season as the Gunners once again went trophyless. It was a timid season when compared to the expectations that the supporters had of him. His third season in England wasn’t all that different from his second season as we continued to witness the inconsistent genius, score a beauty one minute and then go missing for the entire match.
During the first match of the 2010-11 season, Arshavin had a poor game against Liverpool, at Anfield, no less. The very same ground that feared him, the very same in which he announced his arrival in English football, now saw him struggle.
In the next two matches, he scored a goal each as he put in fairly good performances against Blackburn and Blackpool. In the next few matches, he did not perform badly but the spark that characterized him during his first season was lost.
The Russian himself said that he had lost some of his spark and flair in an attempt to become more consistent and make himself a hit in the physically tough and challenging, EPL. It would suffice to say that Arshavin still remains highly inconsistent, often fading away or just not turning up at all.
This season there have been several matches when Arshavin has been virtually non-existent as he has struggled to make an impact of any sorts. We witnessed it against Bolton, Chelsea, Manchester United and several other times. But the nadir of his season undoubtedly came against Leeds United at the Emirates when his own fans, the Emirates crowd, themselves booed the Russian after a truly shocking and pathetic performance against the side from the Championship as his indifferent attitude and lazy play left the Gunners on the verge of exit fro, the FA Cup.
While he has bounced back with some good performances most notably against Barcelona and Everton, one still cannot help but feel that for all his talent and potential, he could be so much better.
The 10 goals and 17 assists he has this season, might indicate a picture of great consistency and solidity but sadly that can hardly be said about the Russian. Arshavin has been inconsistent throughout the season, dazzling in patches.
Arshavin is clearly a supremely talented and gifted player. And that is why his current achievements and performances are disappointing. Its not that his performances are too bad, but coming from a player of Arshavin’s quality, it can be a let down.
Arshavin needs to add consistency into his game. What makes players like Wilshere and van Persie so respected and feared, is their consistency, the knowledge among fans that you can expect these two players to deliver the goods, week in and week out.
Sadly the same cannot be said about Arshavin. For a man who does have the talent and potential in the same breath of Messi, Ronaldo or at least in a level near them, his performances have been nowhere near.
For the magic and vision he possess, his frustrating attitude and style can be irritating and disappointing. His tendency to not chase down balls and his inclination to give up all too easily, his definitely not the attitude, we want to be seeing from an Arsenal player.
An interesting thing to note is Arshavin’s stats. Despite being poor, he has been so essential for the Gunners at times, that one can only wonder his value and importance if he could deliver the goods consistently.
His style and performances have been effective, but in the end, you always want a player, who will deliver the goods consistently, putting in solid shifts every match and this has seen Arshavin fall down the pecking order at Arsenal with players like Nasri and Walcott having already usurped the Russian in the fight for a starting spot.
All this has seen him head closer and closer to the exit with the transfer window looming large above us. He might have expressed his desire to stay at Arsenal and he might say that Wenger views him as an integral part of his plans, Arshavin might be out of the club this summer. There have been several rumors linking him with a move back home to Russia and considering that playing time will be even less next season, he too maybe tempted to move to greener pastures.
With Arshavin growing no younger and with several other players out there, Wenger too might be tempted to part with his most expensive signing.
When I think of Arshavin, it fills me with regret. Here was a player with tonnes of talent and potential and yet he failed to achieve the kind of success, you felt he just had to achieve.
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