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Andrey Arshavin

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Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin (Template:Lang-ru; in English his first name is sometimes written as Andrey) (born 29 May 1981 in Leningrad) is a Russian international football forward who currently plays for Arsenal of the English Premier League. He is the most expensive player in the North London club's transfer history.

Andrei Arshavin
Personal information
Full name Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Second striker, Winger, Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Arsenal
Number 23
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2009 Zenit Saint Petersburg
2009– Arsenal
International career‡
2002– Russia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:57, 11 April 2009 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15:57, 11 April 2009 (UTC)

The 2006 Russian footballer of the year is a versatile second striker who can also play as an attacking midfielder and winger. He gained international attention during his performance at the Euro 2008.[1] His technical ability and diminutive stature have earned him the nickname of "The Russian Pelé".[2]

Arshavin has been capped 43 times for the Russian national team since 2002.

Early Years

Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin was born in St. Petersburg (then named Leningrad) on May 29, 1981. He was born to a typical Russian working class family and his father, Sergey, was a gifted amateur footballer. He came through an accident that could have potentially killed him when he was hit by a car as a child. His upbringing was made a lot harder when his parents divorced when he was aged 10, with Andrei having to sleep on the floor of a cramped flat with his mother Tatiana. It was his father who persuaded him to pursue a career in football, after the profession did not work for him. Andrei began playing football at an early age and at age seven he was enrolled in the ‘Smena’ football academy of Zenit St.Petersburg. As a schoolboy before solely focusing on football, he was a promising draughts player. He was distraught when his father Sergey died of heart failure aged just 40. [3][4][5]

Club Career

Zenit St. Petersburg

Arshavin graduated from the Smena football school. In 1999 he joined Zenit St. Petersburg and from then till early 2000 he played for Zenit's farm club, Zenit-2, in the Second Division.

In 2000, he was included in the Zenit first-team squad, making his debut in a 3–0 away win over English side Bradford City in the Intertoto Cup.[6] He played in various positions on the field, starting as a right midfielder, then as an attacking midfielder and finally adopted the second striker's role playing on a flank or behind a _target man. He won the Russian Premier League Award for the player of the season largely because of his ability to play well as a winger, playmaker and as a striker.

In the 2007 Russian Premier League season Shava (Шава in Russian), as he was lovingly nicknamed by Zenit fans, guided his Zenit St. Petersburg side to the title, starting all 30 matches — scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists along the way. It was the club's first league title since claiming the now defunct Soviet Top League in 1984. He was a key player during Zenit's 2008 UEFA Cup triumph and was named Man of the Match in the final.

In October 2008, Arshavin was nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, along with 29 others including compatriot Yuri Zhirkov.[7]

Arshavin's performances in the UEFA Cup and European Championship brought him to the attention of several European clubs. However interest in him existed even before this as in January 2008 there was interest from Newcastle United boss Sam Alardyce but he got sacked as manager as the transfer window started. [8]. In June 2008, Barcelona had their €15 million offer for the player turned down by Zenit.[9] Tottenham's £16 million offer in August, also fell short of matching Zenit's £22 million asking price.[10] Zenit's unwillingness to release the player for anything less than the initial asking price, caused discontent from both Arshavin, who said the 2008 season was definitely going to be his last with Zenit,[11] and his agent Dennis Lachter who described the club's transfer policy as "barbaric".[12]

Arsenal

During the January 2009 transfer window Arshavin was persistently pursued by Premier League club Arsenal. On 2 February, transfer deadline day, Andrei Arshavin had flown into England and was staying in a Hertfordshire hotel, just a few miles from the Arsenal training ground. At around 10 AM,[13] he left the hotel and was rumoured to be heading back to Russia, but with less than an hour of the transfer window left a bid from Arsenal was accepted by Zenit. By this point he had agreed personal terms and passed a medical, but a payoff sum by Arshavin himself to Zenit was supposedly holding up the deal.[14]

The deal was further complicated by poor weather in England which had delayed the Premier League's registration process, eventually forcing the league to extend the deadline beyond 5pm on 2 February.[15] The deal was not confirmed until the following day, 3 February, nearly 24 hours after the transfer deadline had passed, with Arsenal announcing "a long-term deal" for an undisclosed fee.[16] On the same day Zenit's official web site claimed that Zenit received an official FA letter confirming Andrei Arshavin's registration as an English Premier League player. He will wear the number 23 shirt, last worn by Sol Campbell. Because he played for Zenit in the 2008–09 Champions League he is cup-tied and cannot play for Arsenal in the knockout phase.

He made his debut for Arsenal against Sunderland F.C. on 21 February 2009 in the Premier League, the game ended 0–0, though Arshavin was unlucky not to score in the game against Sunderland coming close twice. Arshavin was substituted in the 61st minute for Carlos Vela. On 3 March 2009, Arshavin made his first contribution to a Premier League game against West Bromwich Albion by setting up a goal for Kolo Toure, in the 38th minute, via a free-kick, which was the second goal in a 3–1 victory.

On 14 March against Blackburn Rovers, Arshavin scored his first goal in the 1st minute for Arsenal, although replays showed that it deflected off Andre Ooijer's back, he was still credited with the goal. He scored his second in the 65th minute.[17] Arshavin also assisted on a goal later in the game when his shot was parried by the goal keeper to Emmanuel Eboué who got the third and fourth goal in the 4–0 victory at The Emirates Stadium.Arshavin scored in a 4-1 victory over wigan. [18]

International career

 
Arshavin, playing for the national team

Arshavin debuted for the Russian national team on 17 May 2002 in a match against Belarus. His first goal with the squad came in a friendly match versus Romania on 13 February 2003 and since, he has managed to score in every competition which Russia has participated in. He was Russia's captain in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia.

UEFA Euro 2008

Arshavin was included in Russia's Euro 2008 squad by manager Guus Hiddink, despite being unable to play in the first two group matches due to suspension.[19] He announced his return by setting up the first goal and scoring the second in Russia's final group game against Sweden at Tivoli Neu, Innsbruck, which helped his team qualify for the next round.

In the next match, the quarter-final against the Netherlands, Arshavin repeated the feat with his part in Russia's two goals in the second half of extra time, providing the cross for Dmitri Torbinski's goal and scoring his own four minutes later. Russia consequently reached the semi-finals with a 3–1 victory. For both of these games, UEFA awarded him Man of the Match. Arshavin could not repeat the heroics in the semi-final against eventual winners Spain, which Russia lost 3–0. Despite this, Arshavin was named in UEFA's squad for Euro 2008.[20]

International goals

Scores and results list. Russia's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 13 February 2003 Tsirion Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus   Romania 3–1 4–2 Friendly
2. 9 October 2004 Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg, Luxembourg   Luxembourg 2–0 4–0 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
3. 13 October 2004 Lisbon, Portugal   Portugal 1–4 1–7 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
4. 30 March 2005 A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia   Estonia 1–0 1–1 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
5. 4 June 2005 Petrovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia   Latvia 1–0 2–0 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
6. 8 June 2005 Borussia Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany   Germany 2–2 2–2 Friendly
7. 17 August 2005 Skonto Stadions, Riga, Latvia   Latvia 1–0 1–1 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
8. 7 October 2006 Dynamo Stadium, Moscow, Russia   Israel 1–0 1–1 UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
9. 15 November 2006 Skopje City Stadium, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia   North Macedonia 2–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
10. 9 August 2007 Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow, Russia   North Macedonia 2–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
11. 4 June 2008 Wacker Arena, Burghausen, Germany   Lithuania 2–1 4–1 Friendly
12. 18 June 2008 Tivoli-Neu, Innsbruck, Austria   Sweden 2–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2008
13. 21 June 2008 St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland   Netherlands 3–1 3–1 UEFA Euro 2008
14. 11 October 2008 Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany   Germany 1–2 1–2 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
15. 15 October 2008 Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow, Russia   Finland 3–0 3–0 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying

Career statistics

As of 12 April 2009[21]
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Zenit St. Petersburg 2000 10 0 1 1 0 0 3 0 0 14 0 1
2001 29 4 8 5 1 2 0 0 0 34 5 10
2002 30 4 7 3 0 2 4 2 5 37 6 16
2003 27 5 10 3 0 2 0 0 0 30 5 10
2004 28 6 8 4 2 1 8 4 1 40 12 10
2005 29 9 9 3 0 0 13 5 3 45 14 12
2006 28 7 13 4 0 1 0 0 0 32 7 14
2007 30 10 11 2 1 4 14 4 10 46 15 25
2008 27 6 8 1 1 0 6 0 1 34 7 8
Total 238 51 75 26 5 13 46 15 20 312 71 107
Arsenal 2008–09 7 2 6 2 0 2 0 0 0 9 2 8
Total 7 2 6 2 0 2 0 0 0 9 2 8

Honours

Club

Individual

References

  1. ^ Stephen Brunt. "Russian Star is Born". Retrieved 02 april 2009 date=21 June 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Missing pipe in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ Ashley Gray. "So what can Arsenal fans expect from Arshavin - the man they call 'the Russian Pele'?". Retrieved 02 april 2009 date=7 February 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Missing pipe in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ Ashley Gray. "Ten things you need to know about Arsenal new boy Andrei Arshavin". Retrieved 28 february 2009 date=3 February 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Missing pipe in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ^ "Goal.com Profile: Andrei Arshavin". 2 February 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
  5. ^ "Arshavin says he'd ban women drivers - as Arsenal's £12m new boy reveals he was nearly killed by a car". 5 February 2009. Retrieved 28 february 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  6. ^ Wilson, Jonathan (2007-10-16). "Andrei Arshavin is Russia's artful dodger". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
  7. ^ "England trio on Euro award list". BBC. 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
  8. ^ "Arshavin Eyes Newcastle". sportinglife. 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2009-03-21.
  9. ^ "Barcelona offer 15 mln euros for Russian star Arshavin". RIA Novosti. 2008-06-26. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
  10. ^ "Arshavin's Spurs move 'ruled out'". BBC Sport. 2008-08-29. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
  11. ^ "I won't play for Zenit again – Arshavin". Russia Today. 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
  12. ^ "Zenit are just 'barbaric' says Arshavin agent, as Arsenal deal hangs in the balance". Daily Mail. 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
  13. ^ "Deadline Day Clockwatch". Sky Sports. 2009-02-02. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
  14. ^ "Arshavin agent hopeful over move". BBC Sport. 2009-02-02. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
  15. ^ "Premier League extends deadline". BBC Sport.
  16. ^ "Russian international Arshavin joins Arsenal". arsenal.com. 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  17. ^ Arsenal 4-0 Blackburn Rovers - Match Report | Fixtures & Reports | Fixtures | Arsenal.com. arsenal.com. Accessed March 2009.
  18. ^ "Arsenal 4-0 Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport. 2009-03-14. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
  19. ^ "Arshavin banned for two Russia games". euro2008.uefa.com. 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  20. ^ "Spain dominate Team of the Tournament". euro200.uefa.com. 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  21. ^ http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=22873&cc=5901

Bibliography

  • Marc Bennetts, 'Football Dynamo - Modern Russia and the People's Game,' Virgin Books, (15 May 2008), 0753513196
 
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Preceded by Russia national football team captain
2007-2008 		Succeeded by
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