Sport

Wenger reveals Arshavin doubts
by Adam Marshall, 30 June 2008

Wenger: Arshavin doubts

Arsene Wenger has cast serious doubt over whether he will compete for Zenit St Petersburg star Andrei Arshavin's signature this summer.

The Russia playmaker excelled in the Euro 2008 matches against Sweden and Holland before being part of the side that was totally over-run by Spain in the semi-finals.

After missing the first two games through suspension, Arshavin emerged as one of the top individual talents in the tournament.

Barcelona, his preferred destination, are leading the race for his signature but The Gunners have been tipped in many quarters to bid to bring the exciting forward to London.

Speaking to the Russian press at a media conference organised by tournament sponsors Castrol, Wenger replied honestly when asked to assess the Russia number 10.

"That Arshavin is a top-level talent is beyond doubt," stressed Wenger.

"The only issue is related to the fact that the leading leagues in the world mean you must be at the highest level of physical readiness throughout the season.

"Can he show his full potential every three days that happens every season the same in England and Spain?

"In the semi-final meeting with the Spaniards, in which Arshavin looked to be exhausted, has forced me to ask this question."

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Comments

Patrick Lising - 26 July 2008 19:18: Sure enough, Arshavin has been good for his country and his club. His ability has been showcased in the UEFA Cup and for Russia etc. I have to agree with what Arsene Wenger has said about him; does he have the physical nature to endure a whole season week-in week-out? And to be completely honest about it, I don't think he has. I'm quite sure everyone in this discussion is aware of this lads ambitions, to be a first-team starter and be at a big club but, moving onto a league where he might not be able to handle the physicality for a long season, that might question his ability to hold down a place in the first team regularly. Arshavin isn't the answer for Alexander Hleb leaving. Nasri has been brought in and while still a work in progress, he's very much near Hleb's ability. One thing he offers which Hleb didn't is that he has a good shooting range.; Report this to a moderator

dude - 16 July 2008 21:00: whoever thinks that they can sign babel is a retard. hes on a rival team and they would never sell him. As we all know, we dont have Hleb anymore so Arsene SHOULD find a good replacement besides Ramesey and Nasri. Arshavin hasnt only been good in the EURO but also for his club. He is the best player on a team that won the UEFA Cup. Sign him before hes gone...; Report this to a moderator

Sayam Ghosh - 04 July 2008 18:16: Arshavin should be in liverpool the liverpool manager should buy him; Report this to a moderator

NERDZ - 02 July 2008 10:40: AW Disciple, YOU IDIOT, Ryan Babel plays for Liverpool, a rival, a young talent, they wont sell someone like that to a rival club + hes not as good as David Villa.; Report this to a moderator

BlackRhino - 01 July 2008 23:46: Forget about Arshavin, sign Players that want to make name for themselves not players with bigheads already.; Report this to a moderator

zali14 - 01 July 2008 17:21: I believe in Arsene. He never failed us, eventhough Arsenal have not won anything lately. We have great young lads in the team but to be champion we still need in-dept team. Adebayor, you not worth 120,000 per week. Just sell him and please get Arshavin or Villa.; Report this to a moderator

phader - 01 July 2008 17:00: i wanted him at first but after his performance against spain, im not too botherd. and also the fact hes 27. but if hleb goes, then why not buy him and have a big squad man utd and chelsea have; Report this to a moderator

gooner_canuck - 01 July 2008 14:05: I don't know why Arsenal would want to sign David Villa. He obviously has talent, and had some beautiful finishes at Euro 2008, but he will be very expensive, and do we honestly need a striker? We have Adebayor (who apparently by many accounts should have netted 58 instead of the 30 goals he scored last year if he wanted to avoid being called a clown??), we have Van Persie, Eduardo (hopefully back to full strength), we have Carlos Vela, we have Walcott who may get a chance to emerge as a striker. What we need is depth at the midfield position so some of our guys don't have to play 40+ matches a year. I'm just going to keep my faith in Arsene!; Report this to a moderator

Ian - 01 July 2008 13:45: Roman Pavlyuchenko would be a better signing for Arsenal especially IF we need to replace Adebayor; Report this to a moderator

abraham - 01 July 2008 12:05: I agree with Arsene too.If a player favours one team and sign for another team,he is going to use that team as a stepping stone.don't sign him Arsene.; Report this to a moderator

arsenail - 01 July 2008 10:59: sell Ade (wont get any better + he is an idiot), bring on Arshavin (talented + hardworking + at his peak) = a better team; Report this to a moderator

AJR - 01 July 2008 09:06: I would steer clear of him. Look what inspirational midfielders we have Rosicky, Fabregas, Nasri?, Hleb. And if he wants him to play striker we have got sufficient cover there. Adebayor, Van Persie, Eduardo, Bendtner, Walcott, there are plenty of players in both positions.; Report this to a moderator

afax - 01 July 2008 08:55: leave arsharvin and buy nasri silva and villa; Report this to a moderator

kaizu - 01 July 2008 08:54: Arsene knows.....he's been fantastic with this..the young talents he's brought to Arsenal have been world class...lets leave it all on Arsene Wenger..; Report this to a moderator

villan - 01 July 2008 08:18: Its silly how players get so hyped up over a couple of good performances.; Report this to a moderator

AW disciple - 01 July 2008 07:03: I'd sign Ryan Babel, he can do anything that Ade, Villa, Silva, or Arshavin can.; Report this to a moderator

Trini - 01 July 2008 00:50: Obivously some of you do not look at a lot of football. Arshavin is a very good player and can handle it anywhere in Europe. Might I remind you all that his team won the "EUFA CUP" ppl that is "all European team in case U dont know. Every one needs time to settle into a squad and a system so you can't just say he wont do well period. However I do agree with some of you and say that I don't think he would fit in at Arsenal with their brand of football. Having said that I think he would do great in Spain and would have a great pool of players that he can work with if he ends up at Barca...But only time will tell!; Report this to a moderator

Andy - 30 June 2008 23:05: i think all teams should think twice before trying to sign him especially the big ones intrested yes he has had an amazing euro but so have the rest of his country and before euro who honestly can say they have heard his name and predicted big things for him ??? i personally in the russian league the only players that have pondered me and im a celtic / ac milan supporter is pavlychenko , bystrov , zhyrkov and some really long name that i cant imagine begins with a B but anyways i think if wenger is looking for a speedy attacker i would pick cisse sure he has had injury probs but he is still in my eye an amazing player or look at the lower teams in spain they have some great players portillo pedro leon and sergio garcia ect ect theres lost of great players out there when you see them play but they prob might not be right for your team or country arshavin could be like this; Report this to a moderator

ice - 30 June 2008 22:24: i think that wenger should think about it and that he should think about other players who played at euro 2008, although wenger is a great manager he needs to be loose and talk to players and thier agents. arshavin is a great player and skilful player to but thiers other players on his mind.; Report this to a moderator

Uhmmmm - 30 June 2008 21:47: Arshavin is a great player and I think he would easily adjust to the EPL a lot of players have done that. The only thing that put me off him is his style of play and I don't think he's the Arsenal playmaker. Don't get me wrong he's really good and all but not an Arsenal material!; Report this to a moderator

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