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Andrey Arshavin

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Andrei Arshavin
Personal information
Full name Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder,
Second striker, Winger
Team information
Current team
 Arsenal
Number 23
Youth career
1999–2000 Zenit
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2008 Zenit 236 (51)
2009– Arsenal 67 (21)
International career‡
2002– Russia 58 (16)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:21, 5 February 2011 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 08:42, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin (Russian: Андрей Сергеевич Аршавин; sometimes romanized as Andrey; born 29 May 1981) is a Russian footballer who plays for the English Premier League team Arsenal and captains the Russian national team. He has won both the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup with Zenit.

The 2006 Russian footballer of the year is a versatile attacking midfielder who can also play as a second striker. Arshavin gained international attention during his breakthrough performance at the UEFA Euro 2008 championship in Austria-Switzerland which resulted in his inclusion in the Team of the Tournament.[1]

Signing for Arsenal in 2009, Arshavin enjoyed a successful start to his career with the Gunners, becoming Premier League Player of the Month in April 2009 and Arsenal's player of the month in March and April 2009. During the 2008–09 season, he scored six goals in 12 league appearances for Arsenal. In a match against Liverpool, Arshavin became the first player to score four league goals at Anfield since 1946.[2] Former Arsenal forward Dennis Bergkamp has speculated that Arshavin has "every chance of becoming a favourite of the London fans".[3]

Early years

Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin was born in Leningrad, now called St. Petersburg, on 29 May 1981 to a typical Russian working class family. His father Sergey was a gifted amateur footballer. Arshavin survived 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 12 with Andrei having to sleep on the floor of a cramped flat with his mother. It was his father who persuaded him to pursue a career in football after his own failure to become a professional football player. Arshavin began playing football at an early age and at seven years of age he was enrolled in the Smena football academy of Zenit, his hometown club. As a schoolboy before football became his sole focus, he was also a promising draughts player. Arshavin's father died of heart failure at the age of 40.[4][5][6] He has written three books including one called ‘555 Questions and Answers on Women, Money, Politics and Football’.[7] Arshavin also has a degree in Fashion Design.[7] He often misbehaved at school,"I behaved badly at school. When I was in the second form, I tore down the registering journal of the class". It was this incident described by Arshavin that saw him expelled.

Club career

Zenit Saint Petersburg

Arshavin playing for Zenit

In 2000, Arshavin 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,[8] coming on as a first half substitute for Andrey Kobelev.[9] 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 the target man.

In the 2007 Russian Premier League season, Shava (Шава in Russian), as he was nicknamed by Zenit fans,[10] guided his Zenit Saint Petersburg side to the title, starting all 30 matches, scoring 11 goals and providing 11 assists (the most in the Russian Premier League that year) along the way.[11] It was the club's first league title since winning the now defunct Soviet Top League in 1984. Arshavin was also a key player during Zenit's 2008 UEFA Cup triumph and was named Man of the Match in the final, again topping the list for assists in that season's UEFA competition.[12] In October 2008, Arshavin was nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, along with 29 others including compatriot Yuri Zhirkov.[13]

Arshavin's performances in the UEFA Cup and UEFA Euro 2008 brought him to the attention of several European clubs. However, interest had already been expressed in January 2008 by Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce but he was sacked as manager as the transfer window opened.[14] In June 2008, FC Barcelona had their €15 million offer for the player turned down by Zenit.[15] Tottenham Hotspur's £16m offer in August also fell short of Zenit's £22m asking price.[16] Zenit's unwillingness to compromise on their asking price caused discontent from both Arshavin, who said the 2008 season was definitely going to be his last with Zenit,[17] and his agent Denis Lachter.[18]

Arsenal

Arshavin (left) in training with Thomas Vermaelen

During the January 2009 transfer window, Arshavin was persistently pursued by English Premier League club Arsenal. On the 2 February transfer deadline day, Arshavin was staying in a Hertfordshire hotel, just a few miles from the Arsenal training ground. At around 10am,[19] 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 finally accepted by Zenit. By this point, he had agreed personal terms and passed a medical, but a compensation payment by Arshavin himself to Zenit was supposedly holding up the deal.[20] 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.[21] The deal was not confirmed until the following day (3 February) nearly 24 hours after the formal transfer deadline had passed, with Arsenal announcing "a long-term deal" for an undisclosed fee.[22] On the same day, Zenit's official web site claimed that Zenit received an official FA letter confirming Andrei Arshavin's registration as an Arsenal player. He wore the number 23 shirt, last worn by Sol Campbell. Because he played for Zenit in the 2008–09 Champions League, he was cup-tied and could not play for Arsenal in the knockout phase.

Debut season

Arshavin made his debut for Arsenal against Sunderland on 21 February 2009 in the Premier League. The game ended 0–0, though Arshavin was unlucky not to score in the game, coming close twice. On 3 March 2009, Arshavin made his first telling contribution to a Premier League game against West Bromwich Albion by setting up a goal for Kolo Touré in the 38th minute via a free-kick, the second goal in a 3–1 victory. On 14 March 2009, Arshavin scored his first Arsenal goal against Blackburn Rovers in the 65th minute of the game. He later provided an assist to Emmanuel Eboué for the third goal of the game, which ended 4–0 to Arsenal.[23] Arshavin took his goal tally in an Arsenal shirt to three during a 4–1 victory over Wigan Athletic on 11 April 2009.[24]

Arshavin in action for Arsenal

On 21 April 2009, Arshavin was named Man of the Match when he scored all four Arsenal goals in a tight match against Liverpool at Anfield, which ended 4–4. It was a thrilling encounter, and the first time Arshavin had scored four goals in one game in his entire career.[25] He is also the first player to score four goals in a single league match at Anfield since Dennis Westcott for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1946,[26] and is only the sixth player in Premier League history to score four goals in an away match.[27] Arshavin captained Arsenal for the first time on 2 May 2009 in an away match against Portsmouth where they won 3–0 with Arshavin gaining two assists and a contentious penalty.[28] On 8 May, he was named Premier League Player of the Month for April.[29] He was also voted as Arsenal's Player Of the Month for April[30] and came second in Arsenal's Player of the Season Poll despite only playing in the second half of the season and playing in fewer than a quarter of Arsenal's matches all season.[31]

2009–10

The Russian came off the bench to score two goals in Arsenal's 2–1 pre-season victory on 1 August over Atletico Madrid in the Emirates Cup. Arsene Wenger commented afterwards that "[Arshavin] knows how English football works," adding "He knows as well that now he's part of the team from the start. I believe the team knows as well how important (he is) and how big an impact he can have on the results."[32] On 26 August 2009, Arshavin scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for Arsenal in the 74th minute in a 3–1 win over Celtic. He also scored a 30 yard shot in Arsenal's 2–1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 29 August 2010, which was his first goal of the season.[33] Later the same month, he scored against Blackburn Rovers again in the Premier League, which Arsenal won 6–2. In early December, Arshavin put in an excellent display against Stoke City, playing in an unfamiliar role as centre-forward left vacant after Robin Van Persie's injury. He won a penalty which Fabregas missed before scoring himself and later assisted the second goal. On 13 December 2009, Arshavin scored an absolutely spectacular winner as Arsenal came from behind to beat Liverpool 2–1 at Anfield again. Arshavin has scored 5 goals against Liverpool now. On 20 January 2010 he scored again in Arsenal's 4–2 victory over Bolton Wanderers, which helped Arsenal reach the top of the Premier League for the first time since August.[34] Arshavin played all Arsenal's six games in March. He scored twice, striking against Burnley and Hull City to take his season's tally to 11. However, he suffered a calf strain against Barcelona, ruling him out for three weeks. Arshavin missed one of two games in May due to injury, but scored for the last time of the season against Fulham, which Arsenal won 4–0.

2010–11

On 17 July 2010, he scored the opening goal against Barnet in Arsenal's first pre-season friendly match of the season, which Arsenal won 4–0. He then won the Man of the Match award by Arsenal fans for best performance according to Arsenal's website. On 21 August 2010, Arshavin scored his first goal as a penalty for Arsenal in a 6–0 win over Blackpool at home after Marouane Chamakh was fouled by Ian Evatt. He also scored the following week on 28 August 2010, against Blackburn Rovers for the third time when Cesc Fabregas' shot was blocked and fell into the path of Arshavin, which Arsenal won 2–1. Arshavin has scored 3 goals against Blackburn now. Arshavin scored and provided two assists against Braga in the Champions League on the way to a 6–0 victory, bringing his goal tally to 3 in five games. He then scored his fourth for the season only 2 games later, netting Arsenal's 4th during extra time to see off Tottenham Hotspur in the 3rd round of the Carling Cup. He later then scored Arsenal's first goal in a 3–1 midweek Champions League away win against FK Partizan in the 15th minute after a nice backheel pass by Jack Wilshere. But Vladimir Stojković saved Arshavin's penalty in the second half after Marouane Chamakh was fouled in the penalty area. On 27 November 2010, Arshavin scored the opening goal against Aston Villa in a 4–2 away win and made an assist for Nasri to score the second goal. On 29 December 2010, Arshavin scored an absolutely beautiful scissor kick volley to make Arsenal level when they were 1–0 down to Wigan. He later made an assist for Nicklas Bendtner to put Arsenal 2–1 up, but because of Sebastien Squillaci's own goal, the match ended 2–2. He then won the Man of the Match award by Arsenal fans for the second time for best performance. He has now won 3 Man of the Match awards in total. On 1 February 2011, Arshavin came off the bench in the 62nd minute and scored his first 2011 goal just 8 minutes later to make Arsenal level when they were 1–0 down to Everton, which Arsenal won 2–1. In his next league match he contributed to Arsenals 4-4 away draw with Newcastle United, providing an assist for Theo Walcott from a free kick. He then scored a wonder goal against F.C. Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League to win the match, making the goal one of the easiet he will ever score.

International career

Arshavin playing for Russia

Arshavin debuted for the Russian national team on 17 May 2002, but was overlooked for the Russia squads at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2004.[35] His first goal with the squad came in a friendly match versus Romania on 13 February 2003. Since then, 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. On the 11th June 2009 Arshavin was made first choice captain of Russia by manager Guus Hiddink.

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.[36] He announced his return by setting up the 1st 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. However, 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.[37]

2010 World Cup qualifying

Arshavin captained the team to a second place finish in their group, scoring 3 goals in ten games. He provided the assist for Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's second goal to seal a 2–1 win over Slovenia in the first leg of the qualification play-offs. Despite this, Russia lost the second leg 1–0, knocking them out of the World Cup finals on away goals.

International goals

Scores and results list.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1
 2003-02-13 Tsirion Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus  RomaniaNote
3 – 1
4 – 2
 Cyprus International Tournament
2
 2004-10-09 Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg, Luxembourg  Luxembourg
0 – 2
0 – 4
 2006 World Cup qualification
3
 2004-10-13 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal  Portugal
4 – 1
7 – 1
 2006 World Cup qualification
4
 2005-03-30 A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia  Estonia
0 – 1
1 – 1
 2006 World Cup qualification
5
 2005-06-04 Petrovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia  Latvia
1 – 0
2 – 0
 2006 World Cup qualification
6
 2005-06-08 Borussia Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany  Germany
2 – 2
2 – 2
 Friendly
7
 2005-08-17 Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia  Latvia
1 – 1
1 – 1
 2006 World Cup qualification
8
 2006-10-07 Dynamo Stadium, Moscow, Russia  Israel
1 – 0
1 – 1
 Euro 2008 qualification
9
 2006-11-15 Skopje City Stadium, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia  Macedonia
0 – 2
0 – 2
 Euro 2008 qualification
10
 2007-09-08 Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow, Russia  Macedonia
2 – 0
3 – 0
 Euro 2008 qualification
11
 2008-06-04 Wacker Arena, Burghausen, Germany  Lithuania
2 – 1
4 – 1
 Friendly
12
 2008-06-18 Tivoli-Neu, Innsbruck, Austria  Sweden
2 – 0
2 – 0
 Euro 2008
13
 2008-06-21 St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland  Netherlands
1 – 3
1 – 3
 UEFA Euro 2008
14
 2008-10-11 Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany  Germany
2 – 1
2 – 1
 2010 World Cup qualification
15
 2008-10-15 Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow, Russia  Finland
3 – 0
3 – 0
 2010 World Cup qualification
16
 2009-10-14 Tofik Bakhramov Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan  Azerbaijan
0 – 1
1 – 1
 2010 World Cup qualification
17
 2011-02-9 St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland  Iran
0 – 1
0 – 1
 Friendly
1Romania "B" fielded a team based on reserve players. The game was considered Unofficial by the Romanian Football Federation. After Arshavin's consistent form for his country, the birth of the title 'The Russian Messi' came from the Russian media.

Career statistics

As of 6 February 2011[38]
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 14
2003 27 5 10 3 0 2 0 0 0 30 5 12
2004 26 5 8 4 2 1 8 4 1 38 12 10
2005 29 9 8 4 2 1 8 4 1 41 15 10
2006 28 7 13 4 0 1 0 0 0 32 7 14
2007 30 10 13 2 1 4 14 4 10 46 14 27
2008 27 6 8 1 1 0 6 1 1 34 8 10
Total 236 50 77 27 7 13 43 15 18 306 73 108
Arsenal 2008–09 12 6 7 3 0 2 0 0 0 15 6 9
2009–10 30 10 2 1 0 0 8 2 5 39 12 7
2010–11 24 5 11 6 1 3 4 3 2 34 9 16
Total 66 21 20 10 1 5 12 4 7 88 27 32
Career total 302 73 97 37 8 18 55 19 25 394 100 140

World Cup 2018 bid

Arshavin (center, holding the envelope) and others celebrating winning the bid to hold the 2018 World Cup in Russia

Arshavin made a speech during Russia's presentation of their bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on 2 December 2010. Russia competed against Portugal/Spain, Holland/Belgium and England. In the first round Russia got nine votes, with Portugal/Spain getting 7, Holland/Belgium getting 4 and England getting 2. As Russia did not get more than 12 votes they had to go into a second vote, knocking England out of the running. In the second round, Russia got 13 votes, Portugal/Spain got 7 again, and Holland/Belgium got the same amount as England got in th first round, 2. As Russia got more than 12 votes they automatically won the bid.

Honours

Club

Zenit St. Petersburg

Individual

Personal Life

Family

Arshavin met his wife Julia during the summer of 2003. They have two children, with a son named Artem, and a daughter named Jana.

References

  1. ^ Stephen Brunt. "Russian Star is Born". Retrieved 2 April 2009 date=21 June 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Missing pipe in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ "Arshavin stars in Anfield thriller". FIFA.com. 2009-04-21. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  3. ^ "Andrei Arshavin admits Arsenal are in battle for fourth with Spurs, Everton and Man City". The Daily Telegraph. London. 28 July 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2010. [dead link]
  4. ^ Ashley Gray (22 April 2009). "Ten things you need to know about Arsenal new boy Andrei Arshavin". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 28 february 2009 date=3 February 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Missing pipe in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. ^ "Goal.com Profile: Andrei Arshavin". 2 February 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
  6. ^ "Arshavin says he'd ban women drivers – as Arsenal's £16m new boy reveals he was nearly killed by a car". Daily Mail. London. 5 February 2009. Retrieved 28 february 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ a b Trivia | Andrey Arshavin | Players | First Team. Arsenal.com. Retrieved on 2011-02-04.
  8. ^ Wilson, Jonathan (2007-10-16). "Andrei Arshavin is Russia's artful dodger". London: The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2008-06-23. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
  9. ^ "Bradford 0 St Petersburg 3 (Agg: 0–4)". Sporting Life. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
  10. ^ (6:05–6:08) MTV Russia. Retrieved on 2009-04-21.
  11. ^ "Футбол – Премьер Лига. Россия. Спорт-Экспресс. Новости футбола, чемпионаты мира и россии по футболу. Лига Чемпионов. Премьер-лига" (in Russian). Football.sport-express.ru. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  12. ^ "UEFA Cup – Top Assists – 2007/08". Soccernet.espn.go.com. 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  13. ^ "England trio on Euro award list". BBC. 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
  14. ^ "Arshavin Eyes Newcastle". sportinglife. 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2009-03-21.
  15. ^ "Barcelona offer 15 mln euros for Russian star Arshavin". RIA Novosti. 2008-06-26. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
  16. ^ "Arshavin's Spurs move 'ruled out'". BBC Sport. 2008-08-29. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
  17. ^ "I won't play for Zenit again – Arshavin". Russia Today. 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2009-01-24. [dead link]
  18. ^ "Zenit are just 'barbaric' says Arshavin agent, as Arsenal deal hangs in the balance". London: Daily Mail. 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
  19. ^ "Deadline Day Clockwatch". Sky Sports. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
  20. ^ "Arshavin agent hopeful over move". BBC Sport. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
  21. ^ "Premier League extends deadline". BBC Sport. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
  22. ^ "Russian international Arshavin joins Arsenal". arsenal.com. 3 February 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
  23. ^ "Arsenal 4–0 Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport. 14 March 2009. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  24. ^ "Wigan 1–4 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 11 April 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
  25. ^ "Liverpool 4–4 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 21 April 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
  26. ^ "Arshavin stars in Anfield thriller". FIFA. 21 April 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2009.
  27. ^ Ley, John (22 April 2009). "Liverpool 4–4 Arsenal". London: BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 April 2009. [dead link]
  28. ^ Gray, Ashley (3 May 2009). "Liverpool 4–4 Arsenal". Daily Mail. London.
  29. ^ "Fergie & Arshavin win awards: United boss and Arsenal schemer recognised for April efforts". Sky Sports News. 8 May 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
  30. ^ Arshavin is O2/Arsenal Player of the Month
  31. ^ L, J (6 July 2009). "Arshavin second in Player of the Season poll". Arsenal.com. Retrieved 6 July 2009. [dead link]
  32. ^ [1][dead link]
  33. ^ Man Utd 2–1 Arsenal
  34. ^ "Premier League | Live – Yahoo! Eurosport". Uk.eurosport.yahoo.com. 2010-01-20. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  35. ^ "ARSHAVIN EAGER TO STAY IN RUSSIA'S SQUAD". Sport Express. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
  36. ^ "Arshavin banned for two Russia games". euro2008.uefa.com. 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  37. ^ "Spain dominate Team of the Tournament". euro200.uefa.com. 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  38. ^ "Andrei Asharvin Profile". Soccernet. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
  39. ^ Arshavin the most effective in English top comp
  40. ^ UEFA Champions League Assists Leaders – 2009/10 – ESPN Soccernet. Soccernet.espn.go.com (2010-05-22). Retrieved on 2011-02-04.
  41. ^ UEFA Cup Assists Leaders – 2007/08 – ESPN Soccernet. Soccernet.espn.go.com (2008-05-14). Retrieved on 2011-02-04.
  42. ^ Футбол – Премьер Лига. Россия. Спорт-Экспресс. Football.sport-express.ru. Retrieved on 2011-02-04.

Bibliography

  • Marc Bennetts, 'Football Dynamo – Modern Russia and the People's Game,' Virgin Books, (15 May 2008), 0753513196
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