Andrey Arshavin has endured a below par season for the Gunners. He has been subject to much criticism concerning his mentality during games and at Arsenal. However, there are stats that the media and some fans seem don’t seem to know. He has played 51 times for Arsenal this season, more than any other Arsenal player. In that time, he has scored 10 goals, including that memorable goal at the Emirates to give Arsenal a 2-1 advantage against Barcelona in the Champions League. He also has 17 assists to his name. These stats will definitely shock you; I was certainly surprised when I found this out. Arsenal fans have been critical towards Arshavin despite these stats, claiming he has not shown enough effort this season and should be sold this summer. The last few performances have summed up his up and down season. He had a brilliant game when he came on at half time against Manchester United, making crucial tackles to win back possession on numerous occasions. However, in the next two games against Aston Villa and Stoke, he was thoroughly disappointing, being subbed off in both matches.
But should Arshavin be sold given these facts? My answer is ‘yes’. His stats show he still has the ability to be a brilliant player, but he has been too inconsistent for my liking this season. It’s not like we are short of cover, with Wellington Silva and Ryo Miyachi waiting in the wings (excuse the pun!). Miyachi has received rave reviews at the tender age of 18, after signing for the Gunners in January. The Japanese sensation, on loan at Dutch club Feyenoord, has scored 3 goals in 12 appearances, also creating 4 goals. We can’t forget Samir Nasri either, who has been one of the players of the seasons, weighing in with 15 goals. However, he is still to sign a new contract and all Arsenal fans are hoping he stays, although he has been linked with moves away from the Emirates, namely to Bayern Munich or Inter Milan.
I think that an offer of around 10 million pounds should be accepted, as Arshavin is 29, and isn’t getting any younger. I don’t think he should be sold to a team in the Premier league as he still has the potential to produce a bit of magic and knowing our luck, he would produce his best performance of the season against us. He is most likely to go to Zenit St. Petersburg, the club which Arsenal signed the Russian captain from. Zenit have already expressed their willingness to welcome Arshavin back to their club, saying the door is always open for him to return. He would undoubtedly be in the starting eleven at Zenit, unlike Arsenal, where he is most likely to have a seat on the bench, second to Samir Nasri.
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