Andrey Arshavin has set himself a 15 goal target for the season ahead as he looks to help Arsenal to their first piece of silverware since 2005. The Russian international has notched 28 goals since arriving in North London from Zenit St Petersburg in January 2009, including ten strikes last term.
Set to compete with new signing Gervinho, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosickey and Samir Nasri for a starting berth in Arsene Wenger’s starting XI, the 30-year-old outlined his aim to Arsenal.com:
“My own target is simple – I would like to score 15 goals in total.”
While Arshavin’s ambition to better his personal offensive output is commendable, the diminutive winger also made that improvements in defence are necessary if the club is to seriously challenge for silverware.
“I think we will get stronger and stronger,” he continued.
“In particular I think our work on set-pieces, both attacking and defending, will be better. We’ll also play a pressing game – if we do that well, I’m sure you’ll see an improved team.”
While Arsenal have failed to win any trophies since Arshavin arrived in England, Manchester United, under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, have continued to add to their trophy cabinet. Impressed by the work ethic of the Red Devils Scottish tactician, the Russian remarked to homeland publication Sport Express:
“First of all you have to ask Alex Ferguson about the secret of the victories.
“I think Manchester United have everything (to win) for 20 years – the players’ quality, the team spirit and the psychology of winning.
“In the team one can discover the mixture of young and seasoned players and also Alex Ferguson’s strictness in how he builds his team as he thinks it’s important.”
We all hope so, but based on last seasons performances I cant say it seems all that likely. Perhaps with Gervinho addding to the competition he will get his head down and start producing the performances we know he can.
I love Andrey Arshavin – a proper world class player. I wish him a brilliant season.
Cue headlines: “Arshavin slams/blasts Wenger for not mixing youth with experience”.
What’s Arshavin’s contract situation?
Expires next year
Thx. Doesn’t seem to get much airtime, that. So he’s pretty likely to foxtrot oscar next year then, esp. as he’ll be offered no more than the over 30 1 year max Wenger insisted on with Bobby & Dennis.
Looking for a big season from Arshy
he has the ability no question
Yeah 15 goals in the league alone, with the same number of assists would be good and not beyond him by any stretch.
He seems like a player rejuvenated recently, let’s hope for more of the player who goes past anycunt the proceeds to cunt it as hard as he cunting can into the top corner, then celebrates with SSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Considering how uninterested he seemed last season, 10 goals was a good return. One would hope a focussed Arshavin would hit 15 no problem.
Of course I have no bad words against him after his goal against Barca at the Emirates.
AARRRSSHHHAAAAVVVIIIIIINNNNN!!!!!!
Needs to lose two stone first
He does look a lot trimmer ……which is a good sign
Off preseason performances we could be seeing many good things from him and Vela. I really hope the introduction of Gervinho gives some of our lads a due kick up the arse and they remind us exactly why Mr Wenger signed them in the first place.
On a side note, I really hate this positive talk. It makes me dream the dream. Who to, who to be….
Vela?
My arse!
How many times does his lazy casual attitude concede possession and put us on the back foot? For a team who’s game is based on keeping the ball, the likes of Arshavin, Walcott and Vela give possession away far too easily.
Scoring a goal concedes possession. Oh snap.
Pressing game.. Set piece superiority… Music, music.
I think Arshavin’s deal runs until 2013
Andre Arshavin always plays with passion. I think he sometimes gets too hard on himself when he doesnt play as well as he wants to and drops his head. Is that a sign of weakness? Maybe…..but I have never looked at him and thought “he doesnt deserve to wear the shirt!” He demonstrates a kind of joy about us winning that I would love to see from everyone. When we win his joy and passion is infectious….when we lose he gets down…..maybe too far down. He wears his love for the club on his sleeve, so to speak. I never… Read more »
Well said Sir, people are far too quick to stick the knife in to the players that we know can/will/do perform. I’m not advocating that everyone should turn a blind eye to mistakes on the pitch but honestly people how do you expect the players you expect to perform to do what your expecting if all you are ready to give them in return is vitriol…pre match ! The players we have whether we like it or not, are the ones we have for next season, an additon or two would be great – but get off there backs, give… Read more »
Fully agree with you, I am a big Arsha fan……. he is a really top class player who can turn a game in seconds.
I remember watching him in a game in 09 (think it was a CL game v Alkmaar) when he was playing on the left and Gibbs also. For half an hour he didn’t move past a 10m square and I remember him screaming at Gibbs to overlap him while he just stood there. A while later, something switched in his head, he casually jogged into the middle of the pitch, somebody passed him the ball, he flicked it over the defenders with a sublime touch and we scored. Later on standing around, he again set up a goal and was… Read more »
He was shit last season. We needed more Barca type goals from him. However, he’s got the quality to make a difference in this team and he still wants to wear the shirt unlike some others, so here’s hoping the season ahead sees a return to form for the baby faced Russian assassin.
Arshavin is quaöity. Simple
Qualtiy!!!!! Sorry my beers fucked it up.
15 pints or 15 goals. Arshavin will do it!! The last of class in the Gunners.
Arshavin is a quality player yet a frustrating one. I love him personally but I know plenty of other gooners who want him gone.
Expecting a good season from him this year
I won’t hold my breath, Ashavin is the only player I can think of who plays with his hands in his pockets. He is on lazy son of a bitch, in my opinion he should be show that door as well, he’s done fuck all for the past 18 months.
He is certainly one of the most talented individuals in the team but he occasionally has a poor work ethic. Fix that and he is world class. Personally, I like him and think he can make a huge difference to any team, which he has proved time and time again. Long may he stay at the Emirates in my humble opinion.
Maybe one of his goals should be to regain his form…
Before questioning his work ethics we should be questioning the squad’s ethics as a whole. Arshavin played as a Striker in Zenit, so coming to Arsenal he’s been relocated as a wide midfielder, which he wasn’t used to. That requires a lot of tracking back, which he didn’t do either too often. And let’s face it, at 30, he will be doing it less. Maybe here’s why he looked uninterested: he’s the oldest field player in the squad, while he sees the likes of Diaby and Denilson jogging back to defense, so he must think “why the f*ck should I… Read more »