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Arsenal Comment: Why a weary and wounded Andrey Arshavin could struggle to be Liverpool's tormentor this time
The embattled Gunners turn to their little Russian for inspiration
10 Feb 2010 10:31:00
By Matthew Weiner | Arsenal Correspondent
Measuring in at just 5 foot 7, Andrey Arshavin doesn’t cut a particularly intimidating figure - but Liverpool must be terrified of him.
As Rafa Benitez’s men prepare to make the trip to face Arsenal on Wednesday evening, the spectre of the Russian casts a shadow, albeit diminutive, over their ambitions of securing a result at the Emirates.
Arsenal’s little gem has now scored five league goals from six shots in his two appearances against The Reds.
And who can forget them? The astounding quartet he bagged last season made him the first player to score four at Anfield in a League game since 1946 (though another Arsenal player, Julio Baptista, improbably managed the feat in a 2007 League Cup tie).
Then in December, the mini magician conjured another miracle, lashing a long-range shot past the helpless Pepe Reina.
The travelling Arsenal fans sang “He's 5 foot 4, he's 5 foot 4. We've got Arshavin, f*** Adebayor”. They may have exaggerated his vertical limitations but not his talent.
But that was all the way back in December. The Gunners were top of the league, Robin van Persie was doing whatever exactly it was he was doing with horse placenta and Arsene Wenger had only just concocted his cunning plan to play Arshavin as a centre-forward.
At first Arshavin flourished. Goal! He scored the opener in a 2-0 home win against Stoke City thanks to a cool low finish while holding off a burly defender.
Then seven days later he was at it again, scoring that spectacular winner at Anfield.
It wasn’t to last though. The sheer impact of playing as a lone striker over the last two months has taken its toll on his slight frame.
Each kick from an ugly centre-half draining him of his impudence, enthusiasm and energy. The goals dried up too.
Eleven games into Wenger’s experiment and Arshavin has managed to notch only once. It’s not like the Russian has been creative either – he’s contributed just a single assist.
A poor return from his new position, considering that from out wide he scored 12 and made five since joining the north Londoners in January of 2009.
“With my knock at the moment I’m trying my best and after each kick I am feeling pain, but I still train every day. I’ve had a few other injuries,” Andrey told the press last week, barely concealing his fatigue.
And he’s entitled to feel tired. He’s made 23 league appearances this season. Only Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas have racked up more with 25 - although when it comes to distance covered each game, there’s no contest.
The average Premier League forward runs 11.5 km per game compared to centre-backs who cover 10 km per match. So those little legs have racked up plenty of distance.
But it’s not just the physical demands of playing in a position he’s not suited to that's draining Arsenal’s No.23.
It’s also the mental strain of working alongside team-mates that technically just aren’t his equal. He had already cracked after the Manchester United defeat, his frustration spilling over in an interview when he said: “Third place is where we stand today, and that is already a great success for Arsenal when you take into account the class of our eleven players. Of course, we try to win every match, but class is class.
“If Arsenal want to become champions, how can they select Arshavin as centre forward? I am 173cm and it suits me, but next to the big centre-halves of United it is very difficult to fight for the ball, especially in the air.”
The Russian should have seen the writing on the wall. When he scored those four incredible goals at Liverpool last season his team-mates still couldn’t keep it together for long enough to win the game. Now those insecurities that began at the back have travelled through the whole team and the once free-scoring Arsenal are struggling for goals, notching a measly two in the last four games – three of which have been lost in pallid fashion.
Liverpool, however, are unbeaten in the league in seven games and know that a win would put them only two points behind the Gunners in the race for third place and a guaranteed Champions League spot.
They’ll go into this match having learned their lessons from Arsenal’s defeats by Chelsea and Manchester United.
Rafa will encourage his men to defend deep to suffocate the Gunners’ short passing game in and around the box and then attempt to hit the home side on the break with pace.
Liverpool may have won none and lost seven of their last 12 away trips to Arsenal in all competitions, but recent form suggests that a draw is the most likely result.
Three of their last four visits to the Emirates have resulted in a stale-mate.
But Arsenal desperately need the win if they are to keep their fading dreams alive of maintaining a title challenge.
Those last vestiges of hope now rest on the narrow shoulders of Andrey Arshavin. How Liverpool’s former torturer-in-chief reacts to that additional burden on Wednesday night could well decide the rest of Arsenal’s season.
But if Arshavin struggles against Liverpool's centre-backs, Arsenal fans will not blame the talented forward.
It's Wenger who will have to face the critics.
Measuring in at just 5 foot 7, Andrey Arshavin doesn’t cut a particularly intimidating figure - but Liverpool must be terrified of him.
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As Rafa Benitez’s men prepare to make the trip to face Arsenal on Wednesday evening, the spectre of the Russian casts a shadow, albeit diminutive, over their ambitions of securing a result at the Emirates.
Arsenal’s little gem has now scored five league goals from six shots in his two appearances against The Reds.
And who can forget them? The astounding quartet he bagged last season made him the first player to score four at Anfield in a League game since 1946 (though another Arsenal player, Julio Baptista, improbably managed the feat in a 2007 League Cup tie).
Then in December, the mini magician conjured another miracle, lashing a long-range shot past the helpless Pepe Reina.
The travelling Arsenal fans sang “He's 5 foot 4, he's 5 foot 4. We've got Arshavin, f*** Adebayor”. They may have exaggerated his vertical limitations but not his talent.
But that was all the way back in December. The Gunners were top of the league, Robin van Persie was doing whatever exactly it was he was doing with horse placenta and Arsene Wenger had only just concocted his cunning plan to play Arshavin as a centre-forward.
At first Arshavin flourished. Goal! He scored the opener in a 2-0 home win against Stoke City thanks to a cool low finish while holding off a burly defender.
Then seven days later he was at it again, scoring that spectacular winner at Anfield.
It wasn’t to last though. The sheer impact of playing as a lone striker over the last two months has taken its toll on his slight frame.
Each kick from an ugly centre-half draining him of his impudence, enthusiasm and energy. The goals dried up too.
Eleven games into Wenger’s experiment and Arshavin has managed to notch only once. It’s not like the Russian has been creative either – he’s contributed just a single assist.
A poor return from his new position, considering that from out wide he scored 12 and made five since joining the north Londoners in January of 2009.
“With my knock at the moment I’m trying my best and after each kick I am feeling pain, but I still train every day. I’ve had a few other injuries,” Andrey told the press last week, barely concealing his fatigue.
And he’s entitled to feel tired. He’s made 23 league appearances this season. Only Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas have racked up more with 25 - although when it comes to distance covered each game, there’s no contest.
The average Premier League forward runs 11.5 km per game compared to centre-backs who cover 10 km per match. So those little legs have racked up plenty of distance.
But it’s not just the physical demands of playing in a position he’s not suited to that's draining Arsenal’s No.23.
It’s also the mental strain of working alongside team-mates that technically just aren’t his equal. He had already cracked after the Manchester United defeat, his frustration spilling over in an interview when he said: “Third place is where we stand today, and that is already a great success for Arsenal when you take into account the class of our eleven players. Of course, we try to win every match, but class is class.
Silent assassin | Arshavin scored four at Anfield
“If Arsenal want to become champions, how can they select Arshavin as centre forward? I am 173cm and it suits me, but next to the big centre-halves of United it is very difficult to fight for the ball, especially in the air.”
The Russian should have seen the writing on the wall. When he scored those four incredible goals at Liverpool last season his team-mates still couldn’t keep it together for long enough to win the game. Now those insecurities that began at the back have travelled through the whole team and the once free-scoring Arsenal are struggling for goals, notching a measly two in the last four games – three of which have been lost in pallid fashion.
Liverpool, however, are unbeaten in the league in seven games and know that a win would put them only two points behind the Gunners in the race for third place and a guaranteed Champions League spot.
They’ll go into this match having learned their lessons from Arsenal’s defeats by Chelsea and Manchester United.
Rafa will encourage his men to defend deep to suffocate the Gunners’ short passing game in and around the box and then attempt to hit the home side on the break with pace.
Liverpool may have won none and lost seven of their last 12 away trips to Arsenal in all competitions, but recent form suggests that a draw is the most likely result.
Three of their last four visits to the Emirates have resulted in a stale-mate.
But Arsenal desperately need the win if they are to keep their fading dreams alive of maintaining a title challenge.
Those last vestiges of hope now rest on the narrow shoulders of Andrey Arshavin. How Liverpool’s former torturer-in-chief reacts to that additional burden on Wednesday night could well decide the rest of Arsenal’s season.
But if Arshavin struggles against Liverpool's centre-backs, Arsenal fans will not blame the talented forward.
It's Wenger who will have to face the critics.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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