"Arshavin not given the credit he sometimes deserves"

60 second pundit

08Aug

“Arshavin not given the credit he sometimes deserves”

Most Arsenal fans will be encouraged to read reports of interest in misfit Andrey Arshavin from the likes of Galatasaray and QPR. But it seems that Gunners boss Arsène Wenger is still weighing up the idea of keeping the Russian – and the People’s Tom Hopkinson believes it would be in Arsenal’s best interests if he did.

“Arshavin is very easy to criticise because of his demeanour,” explains Tom of the Arsenal midfielder, who has returned to the club after a loan spell at Zenit St Petersburg. “If you see him around the training ground he’s almost an odd character: he walks around with his head down, doesn’t look anyone in the eye, doesn’t speak to many people. And that comes across when he’s out there playing football as well, which is why he has this love-hate relationship with a lot of the fans.

“I think he’s a very good player and I don’t think he’s quite given the credit that he sometimes deserves. Wenger always talks about his statistics and what a good player he is to have in the side. He’s not delivered as well as he should have, certainly, but I don’t think he’d be doing Arsenal any harm if they kept hold of him.”

But were he to leave, Tom believes a move to another club in England would be Arshavin’s preference. “He’s desperate to have another few months in England so he can get British citizenship for his children. That’s going to play a huge factor in Arshavin’s next move.”

Watch the full video discussion by clicking on the play button in the image above.

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davi

He gives the ball away far too frequently. People get on Song’s back if he gives the ball away cheaply a couple of times in a game, but Arshavin gives it away far more often for no reason. For Oxlade to play like this would be understandable (although even then his attidue would be questioned!), but not for a 30 year-old international, our record signing; it’s just not on. What does it matter if he gets a good number of assists when for every chance he makes he gives the other team 5 chances to break at our defence?!
http://twitter.com/RedStoneRust Shawty

It would be foolish to keep him while he still has some value and would struggle to make our Carling Cup squad now weve signed a couple of extra players. I think most Arsenal fans will agree, even if they love Arshavin as some still do they would prefer to see Mayaichi, Ox or even Ramsey ahead of him in the que for the left wing or as attacking midfield.
The only thing that can save Arshavin now is if Arsenal loose both Walcott and VanPerise making it tempting for Wenger to revert to 442 with Giroud and Podoski and then adapting quicker than one of them to the new set up in his apparently favoured position. Not going to happen. Thanks Arshavin, you are a great player, but you have never fit into the Arsenal team, even during the short period you found found success and been given more than your fair share of chances to adapt and now it is time for you to leave.
davi

Also, contrary to the title, his stats gain him far more credit than he deserves. Hleb was a far better player in his time at Arsenal but really DIDN’T get the credit he deserved because he didn’t score often nor make the final pass, but he did contribute significantly and consistently.
Metal

Now that we have a dearth of great players on the wing, I would love to see Arshavin moved inside. I think this is his natural position. He may well flourish there if given the opportunity.

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