Andrey Arshavin worries over individual form ahead of Russia World Cup play-off

By Alan Dawson

Creative Arsenal attacker Andrey Arshavin is hoping what he feels is sub-par individual form does not hinder his country's chances of reaching next year's World Cup.

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He told Sport Express: "After the match in Moscow I could not get to sleep until about five in the morning but that is the usual time I go to sleep after matches.

"Though that does not mean I was not worried. The feelings were, to put it mildly, not very pleasant.

"Maybe my game did not look so bad from the outside but inside I felt that I was not a part of the team. I could not be with my team-mates and actually I was in an opposition phase somehow."

He added: "I did not get any injures but was not prepared physically for the entire match. And if I had been replaced after the 75th minute, I would have understood this decision.

"But I did not act well throughout the match despite the assist. I did not mean to pass to Bilyaletdinov but I made it a pass to Semak. Fortunately, Diniyar tackled the ball and pushed in into the net.

"[The] main problem is that it is impossible to find the reasons of my less than superb play. So before the return leg I worry less about the team - they are well prepared - but what should I do to avoid the repetition of the match in Moscow?

"I cannot say that this is the deciding moment in my career - only after years will people usually realise it. But, in any case, to stay out of the World Cup means to be on the sidelines of world football for a time."