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Arsenal, Arsene and Arshavin!
By Toyin | February 9, 2009
During the EURO 2008 tournament in Austria and Switzerland last year, a small but highly skillful player emerged on the scene after a series of brilliant displays notably the defeat of the Netherlands. It wasn’t as if he was a nobody; after all, he was very instrumental in helping Zenit St Petersburg qualify for Champions league and winning the UEFA cup on the way.
But for the first time in his career, he was under the full glare of the world press and the verdict mostly was that a new star is born! This was before his anonymous display in the semi finals against Spain where the impressive Marcos Senna shackled him. He hardly was allowed to move!
Top European coaches were on the prowl looking for quality additions in the summer and not a few clubs expressed interest in landing the new Russian talisman. Arsene Wenger was among the admirers of Andrey Arshavin but like the wily gaffer that he is, decided to shift attention away from the quality of the player by declaring that he tired out too easily against Spain!
Other coaches took note of that and obviously decided and accepted that ‘Arsene knows’ and bowed out of the race for the signature of the diminutive playmaker. The price tag on him by his club did not help matters otherwise; Barcelona would have snapped him up before anyone wakes up.
Indeed, playing in the Russian league cannot be compared to doing it in the top European leagues in England, Spain, Italy and Germany. And enough caution cannot be exercised when making such a handsome outlay for a player not yet proven in the top level of European football.
So the early suitors gradually bowed out and the summer ended with the player (unhappily so) stuck with his club. This of course affected his output and display on the field of play. Nevertheless, Zenit maintained the price tag on the player till January transfer window.
Then stepped in Arsenal and Arsene Wenger for the player who is to be their sole purchase of the transfer window. The drama surrounding the transfer was well documented to warrant no further comment here. But it was clear that Arsenal needed Arshavin and Wenger had no plan B incase it was a NO NO. The transfer was concluded on the last day and went through on the benevolence of the FA.
Now, the question is: Why did Wenger break his transfer fee record by signing Arshavin? It was simple; Champions league football is slipping away and everyone can see that!
Over the years under Wenger, Arsenal became a permanent fixture in the UEFA Champions league. This guarantees a steady stream of income that made the club flush with cash. More interesting is the fact that Arsene’s side is modestly assembled and Arsenal under him turns out profit on a yearly basis.
Wenger, to the top hierarchy at the Emirates is not just another manager; he is a visionary who believes in modeling football clubs on self-sustenance even when the current climate does not permit that. He was very instrumental in the movement from Highbury to the Emirates and what’s more, that movement has proved to be inspired.
The regular stream of inflow form Champions league football and enhanced gate takings as a result of the new stadium should ordinarily make Arsenal a force to be reckoned with in Europe. However, recent happenings indicate otherwise.
From a team that nearly won the league last season, Arsenal is now playing catch up to Aston Villa in the race to secure the forth Champions league position. Should this have been the seasonal aspiration of a team in the stature of Arsenal from the onset? I think a capital YES won’t be out of sort!
If one takes a look at the development around the top teams in the EPL, one thing is common and that is consistent and continuous improvement in the playing personnel. From Chelsea to Liverpool and Manchester United, quality additions were made at the beginning of the season to further strengthen their squad. Aston Villa (currently third in the standings) did not make any major signing except for Brad Friedel and Davies but kept the core of the team together against the onslaught of interested clubs.
I am very sure that keeping the trio of Ashely Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor and most importantly, Gareth Barry has been key to the performance of Villa so far this season. The opposite was the case with Wenger when he allowed two of his midfield trio to depart on the guise of not being ready to break wage range and what not. I wonder how much Adebayor is now earning?
Now that the reality is here and very stark with the unfortunate injuries to Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott, the clearest thing to do is to reinforce and that was part of the reason Arshavin became a Gunner. Will he be able to deliver a forth league standing position to Arsenal? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, the injury kept piling up and Aston Villa kept at moving up the table. What else is left to do? This question is for Arsenal, Arsene and Arshavin to answer. While waiting, many a Gunner hope for the best and some slip ups from Aston Villa and Chelsea; not a good situation to be in!
Topics: Biz Football, Crazy Fans, Premiership, Success Pills, The Gaffer |
February 11th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Arshavin’s is a case of him whom the Lord has chosen to honour. We hope and pray that he is able to deliver his money’s worth while bearing in mind that a tree cannot make a forest.
February 11th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Arshavin is a good player and we hope he deliver’s his money’s worth.
March 8th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
well, he did become quite known after Zenit won the UEFA Cup
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:28 am
finally arshavin shows his power !
4-4 at anfield !
http://www.9jabook.com/profiles/blogs/world-class-andrey-arshavin