Andrey Arshavin
Born :
May 29, 1981
Birth place :
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Height :
1.72m
Weight :
62 kg
Position :
Midfielder
Squad Number :
23
Previous Club(s) :
Zenit St Petersburg
Zenit-2
Joined Arsenal :
February 03, 2009
2008/09
Andrey joined the Club from Zenit St Petersberg in February 2009 three days after the transfer window shut, in a deal that attracted a lot of attention from the eyes of the footballing world.
Joining Arsenal midway through the season, Andrey wasted no time in becoming a fans’ favourite at Emirates Stadium. He went on to make 15 appearances that season scoring six times, claiming six assists and producing some fine performances.
The Russian captain scored his first goal in Arsenal colours with an outstanding goal against Blackburn in March. It was on April 23 though, that Andrey wrote himself into Arsenal legend forever when he scored an incredible four goals at Anfield in a 4-4 draw against Liverpool.
Speaking of his first season in English football, the midfielder even surprised himself with how well he adapted. “I didn’t expect to start this well, especially because it’s the first time I’ve ever moved away from my home town.”
2009/10
Andrey likes Anfield doesn't he?
The Russian playmaker fired an unforgettable foursome at Liverpool in his first months with Arsenal and he returned to Merseyside to net another blockbuster in his first full season in the Premier League.
That winner in December followed an equally spectacular strike at Old Trafford at the start of the campaign - proof that Andrey is a man for the big occasion. He wasn't bad on the smaller occasions either, scoring five in his first nine games last term and ending the season as Arsenal's joint second-highest scorer alongside Nicklas Bendtner.
Andrey will probably be the first to admit that his season lacked the fireworks of his first games as an Arsenal player but there were certainly mitigating circumstances. Injuries to Robin van Persie and Bendtner forced the Russian into an unfamiliar role leading the line for much of the winter. He stuck to his task manfully to help keep Arsenal in the title race.
And even on his quieter days, Andrey showed he could turn a game in a split-second with a defence-dissecting pass or a surging run. Arsenal missed his influence when a calf strain ruled the Russian out of the business end of the season.
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