Andrei Arshavin - Farewell diminutive Russian

“Oh its brilliant play, it’s absolutely fantastic play and it’s a stunning goal from Andrei Arshavin. That’s his first goal in an Arsenal shirt and what a strike to remember. Players like Arshavin are the difference makers in the game.”

Arshavin darts towards his new teammates. Tongue out, head shaking, a look of pure joy on his face. It was like the dawn of a new hope at Arsenal. I knew Arsenal chasing a spot in top 4 will end up there, no matter what.

Arshavin arrived at Emirates in the winter transfer window of 2008-09 season when Arsenal were in dire need of a playmaker. Arshavin had set alight the Euro Cup six months prior to his transfer where he had put in stellar performances for Russia. His transfer to Arsenal created ripples of excitement across England. It felt wonderful to see him announce his transfer to Arsenal by saying ‘I became Gooner’.

Arshavin didn’t disappoint as he put in strong performances propelling Arsenal into top 4 leap-frogging Aston Villa. He finished 2^nd on Arsenal’s Player of the Season poll having played for only a quarter of Arsenal’s total games in the season. The fluidity with which he moved in between the defenders and the pace to beat the full backs became a major headache for the opposition.

His vast range of skill set also included powerful shots and long range shots amongst others. Arshavin, in no time became a regular feature of the Arsenal team. If one has to showcase the highlights of his career as a Gunner, the 4 goal rally against Liverpool at Anfield and the late winner against Barcelona handing Arsenal their first ever victory over the Catalan giants, would be the moments that would be encased in golden frames and put ahead of the rest.

Arshavin’s stunning goals followed by whacky celebrations gives another reason to never forget him. Rushing away from the goal, tongue out as if teasing the opponent, shaking his head would definitely be one of the best celebration styles. His small stature, red cheeks and energetic celebration made him look like a little kid happy beyond belief. He derived his energy from the crowd. Louder the crowd would cheer his goal, wilder his celebration would get. Hushing the crowd to silence, putting his hand to his ears urging the crowd to go wild, acting as if doesn’t know how the ball went in were some of his celebrations people got to see from time to time.

Arshavin would try and get into unnecessary arguments with the referee on so many occasions just to give Arsenal teammates enough time to get into proper positions. It used to be hilarious as the referee seldom seemed to understand what Arshavin is ranting about. Dressing up in various costumes – a whale, scout boy, hipster from 70s with a huge boom box, to name a few, was never a problem for him. It was all a part of his eccentric nature whether on the field or off it.

Sadly, the good times on the field were not to stay for long. The brilliance of Arshavin faded after his second full season at Emirates. Once an enthralling and devastating forward now cut out a frustrated, lazy and an uncommitted figure on the pitch. The defenders who used to tremble at the thoughts of facing Arshavin would now be relaxed if he had the ball. Russia failing to qualify for World Cup 2010, unexpected exit from Euro 2012, criticism from fans, everything mounted up as a pressure and weighed Arshavin and his performance down.

Arshavin, who had all the potential to become one of Arsenal’s great and a Gunner Legend, lost the plot somewhere in his journey and ended up a wasted hero, an excess baggage to the club. His shipping off to Zenit St. Petersburg failed to re-ignite his career. A loan move to Reading last season was turned down by him stating he doesn’t want to play for a relegation threatened team. Reports towards the end of the season suggesting Arshavin considering retirement just confirmed to the football world that it was the end of the road for him. Even if Arshavin joins another club and gets playing time, he’ll never be the same old ‘Diminutive Russian’ again.

Having said all this, I will admit that even though Arshavin failed to achieve the heights he could have and practically lived a life of anonymity for this past season, I am going to miss him at Arsenal. I missed him last season too. I would have preferred Arshavin playing ahead of Gervinho any given day. There was a time, when I believed that anything can happen when Arshavin is on the pitch, that he would pull the trigger, fire one in and give Arsenal that goal any minute.

Arshavin arrived at Emirates during the season I started following the fate and fortunes of Arsenal Football Club. His arrival, his skillset, his pace, his 4 goals at Anfield, the sheer energy flowing through him, made me believe all the more in Arsenal. I always knew, next time Arsenal lifts a trophy, this guy will be the one majorly responsible for that success. Well, that was not to happen.

Sadly, his decline was so steep, he wasn’t even around in the first squad in his last season with Arsenal. With his departure from the club, it’s becomes a wish unfulfilled for me. A wish to see Arshavin achieve much more for Arsenal than he actually did. A wish to see Arshavin hang up his boots at Arsenal. I can only bid him a farewell and hope he finds quality playing time to bow out respectfully from the game. Oh! What I would give to hear commentators scream out their lungs for Arshavin like Andy Gray once did -

“ARSHAVIN! I don’t care if you’ve got three Pepe Reina’s in that goal, you’re not saving that!”

Thank you Arshavin for all the good times and memories.