Clairvoyance is a gift because gazing into a crystal ball is not everyone’s talent. Arsene Wenger would be hoping that he has such foresight because the decision he makes in a few days on Andrei Arshavin’s fate will have consequences. Last week, the North London club had decided to offload the Russian winger as a free transfer agent. After spending the last season on loan at his old club Zenit St. Petersburg, the former Russian captain who has also been left out by Fabio Capello from the WC qualifiers, was offered to Dynamo Moscow but refused to join them before the Russian transfer window finally closed on Thursday.
Instead Arshavin made a statement ‘pledging loyalty’ to Arsenal and fight for his place in the first team. At a time when loyalty has had no meaning at the club, what remains to be seen is the reason behind this commitment. His last appearance for Arsenal was a brief one when he came off the bench at the season opener against Sunderland. He doesn’t seem to be a part of Wenger’s plans for the first half of this season with Cazorla, Giroud and Podolski being regulars and Gervinho, Walcott and Oxalade-Chamberlain supporting them.
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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Andrey Arshavin of Arsenal gestures during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion at Emirates Stadium on November 5, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Arsene Wenger is perplexed by the situation at his hand because Arshavin’s decision to stay at the club means that Wenger either keeps him to warm the bench or possibly send him off on a loan elsewhere. Not to forget, the new contract agreement that Arsenal would have to offer if they were to retain him. Amongst all this, Wenger recently mentioned at the UEFA Elite Coaches conference in Switzerland that he wants to bring back Danish international Niklas Bendtner, currently loaned to Serie A side Juventus, into the Arsenal fold next season. Wenger’s remarks mean that chances for a future at Arsenal seem bleak for Arshavin currently, unless of course something remarkable happens.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20: Nicklas Bendtner of Arsenal jumps over Jose Reina of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on August 20, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
So should Wenger reward Arshavin’s loyalty and retain him for the current season? If he does, how could Arshavin fit in the current squad when it has so many players fighting for a place in midfield.
To ponder over this question, let’s step back into the past. Andrei Arshavin joined the the North London club fresh on the success of Russia’s Euro 2008 campaign during the 2008-09 winter transfer window for a 4-year contract worth £15 million, which made him Arsenal’s second most expensive signing in history. Arshavin started his opening campaign fairly well scoring his first goal in a game against 4-1 win over Blackburn FC. Arsenal fans would not forget the man-of-the-match performance four goal thriller against Liverpool which dented the Red’s title hopes.
Arshavin’s performances for Arsenal have been none less than remarkable over the past few seasons. With the exception of last season, Arshavin has always pitched in with crucial goals and important assists.If we look at his first three seasons at Arsenal, his statistics tell the true story. As the Gunner’s team dynamics changed with departures of midfield holders such as Nasri and Fabregas, after 2011, it certainly has not helped Arshavin’s cause.
Season Apps Goals Assists2008-09 15 6 9
2009-10 39 12 7
2010-11 52 10 17
2011-12 26 2 4
Arshavin probably lacks motivation and definitely misses support as Arsenal now penetrate more from the center rather than from the flanks, an ideology which is at times frustrating and yields poor results. If given the chance, a Cazorla, Arteta or Diaby will always seek to play alongside a player like Arshavin down the flank to provide an assist to a Giroud or Podolski who can finish it. Finding the right balance is always hard for a team, which is always undergoing changes. As an Arsenal fan, I would give a simple piece of advice to Wenger. If you sell players who don’t want to play for you, no matter how great they are, then do retain players who actually want to play for the club, no matter in whatever form they are. For a player pledging loyalty to his club, fans would always wish him well and hope that glory returns to the Arsenal.
