With how well Arsene’s boys are playing at the moment, it seems that Andrei Arshavin’s time at the Emirates may be up.
The Russian playmaker has found playing time hard to come by this season and it seems that come January he may be off-loaded, as he is surplus to requirements. Speculation was further fuelled after the Russian was left out of Arsenal’s Champions League squad for their game away to Montpellier.
The 31-year-old has only 13 minutes of first team football to his name this season, a substitute appearance against Sunderland, and has only been named as a substitute once. Arshavin spent six month’s on loan at Zenit last season, and the Russian big-spenders have expressed an interest in re-signing the Russian international, however he decided to stay at the Emirates. Even Fulham enquired about the player’s ability, knowing that Arshavin and his family are settled and enjoy life in London.
However, despite this, surely he wants first-team football? At Euro 2012, he showed that he has talent in abundance, especially when played in his preferred central position. But with the arrival of Santi Cazorla, Arshavin will not get a look-in if he wishes to play a more central role.
Arshavin is reportedly on £90,000 and despite Zenit being Russian giants Gazprom, perhaps the Russian club would not be willing to offer as much in wages for a player in his thirties. Arshavin’s work-ethic has hindered his progress at the club without a shadow of a doubt. Lukas Podolski has effortlessly fitted in to Arsenal’s style of play, but the key factor is how hard he works for the team and how he also does his part for the team defensively. What frustrates Arsenal fans the most is Arshavin’s laziness when he loses possession.
With Theo Walcott likely to leave this January, the hope is that Arshavin can rediscover his form, fitness and desire and become the £15 million player that joined three years ago. If Cazorla were to get injured, Arshavin needs to be ready to step-up and show his true class.
