Arsene Wenger has backed Andrei Arshavin to find his best form after former Arsenal manager George Graham labelled the Russian a ‘poor buy’.
The 30-year-old had a torrid match on Wednesday night in Marseille and has struggled all season to impose himself on matches despite being the club’s first choice on the left-hand side of midfield.
Nevertheless, speaking to assembled media ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Stoke City, Wenger emphasised his support for the former Zenit St Petersburg man by paying homage to his professionalism.
“You would not be surprised that I disagree with that [criticism of Arshavin],” said Wenger of Graham’s condemnation. “That is opinion. I think he has been great for us and he will still be great in the coming months.
“He is a great player and you have to give him credit for that. He stands up for his performances. I personally respect him highly and I think he’s a great player.
“He works through it [poor form] by keeping his focus in training and what he does well. I like Andrey because he has a great attitude. It was a difficult game for him on Wednesday and for all the players who played up front because Marseille defended, they played for a point.
“There was not a lot of space for the strikers and as long as you don’t find an opening they will not come out, and that is what happened in the game.”
In truth it comes as little surprise to Arseblog News that ‘Stroller’ isn’t a fan of Arshavin. Never one to indulge players whose creative spark came at the expense of hard work he quite happily got shot of Anders Limpar, Michael Thomas and David Rocastle in the early nineties opting to promote the likes of David Hillier, Ian Selley and Steve Morrow instead.
While that is by no means meant as a criticism of the latter trio, in joined up thinking it pretty much means Graham would advocate selling Arshavin to buy Gareth Barry…and nobody wants Gareth Barry…because he’s shit.
His poor form and worse lack of effort has gone on to long for it to be a dip, if arsene does have a fault it’s keeping faith with poor players for to long. We need fighters and workers in the team right now and the Russian shows little sign of being able to deliver either.
I have tried to put the blinders on with Arshavin. Want to like him you know? But his performance in Marseille was just pathetic. He can’t control his form, but he can control his effort level, and it’s not good enough. Especially for how hard the rest of the team is working.
Trust me, Arshavin is sick. Just needs the big games.
He saved us from losing out on 4th spot in his first year. He has quality. He will come good. Stick with him.
Arshavin will be amazing once again just look at Wayne Rooney and Torres both went through a long bad patch if people (media) just get off his case and stop dragging him down PRICKS
Same player scored four at Anfield.
He is not lazy, he just needs some confidence.
Pricks ? Class ya fucking muppet
Every time he’s put behind the striker he’s brilliant. Sunderland is an example. He put in a great shift once he was free to roam behind RvP.
Yeah , there is that too . He prefers to play in the hole .
Don’t we all?
Funny guy and scored the goal against the Catalonian cunts, BUT he’s never really put together a run of form since the first 6 months he was here. Maybe its not his fault, we know he’s played out position on the wing. I think it’s just been a bit too much for him. You can’t expect him to play in an unfamiliar position and adjust to woman’s rights can you? Too much to soon methinks
Arshavin is the most annoying type of footballer: someone with undoubted talent, but for some reason consistently fails to deliver. He has been given enough time to prove himself but far too often plays like somebody with no desire or confidence.
It’s time for him to go.
I like the little fella but I think it’s time to move him on in January and use the funds to bring in a younger, hungrier creative midfielder. Don’t pay too much attention to the bollocks wenger puts out there, arsene knows when it’s time to move a guy on and the clock has been ticking for andrei for a minute.
RUBBISH! Dis guy is a waste he should be sold
RUBBISH! Dis guy is a waste he should be sold.
Parrot
What does ” dis” mean?
He can be potentially a great player for us. I believe he is more suited to a central roll, Fabs, old position.
He was shocking after Russia failed to qualify for the WC but he still got the assists in. Would like to see him play in his preferred role before we write him off
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