Arsenal Star Andrey Arshavin Backs Russian Clubs For European Success

Playmaker expects big things from clubs back home this season…

03-Dec-2009 10:58:43 PM

More On :  Arsenal, Andrey Arshavin
EPL: Andrey Arshavin, Portsmouth v Arsenal (PA)

Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin has backed Russian sides for success in the Champions League as the nation looks to get over the disappointment of not reaching next summer's World Cup in South Africa.

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Both CSKA Moscow and Rubin Kazan, who have taken four points off Barcelona so far, stand a good chance of reaching the knock-out phase of the Champions League when the group stages conclude next week.

And the Arsenal man feels that there is every possibility of the Russian sides continuing to defy expectation as the competition progresses.

"I saw the CSKA game on Wednesday when they beat Wolfsburg," he told Arsenal's Official Matchday Programme.

"They looked strong and they showed good spirit because they went behind in the first-half.

"And of course Rubin made those two good performances against Barcelona – we'll see how it all stands after the final round of games, but I hope at least one of them goes through.

"Nobody knew them [Rubin], but they are a wealthy team with a good coach, Kurban Berdyev, who managed to collect a group of good players around him. So they have a good squad and they duly showed that - that's why Rubin is now the league's dominant team."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com UK

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