Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal star Andrey Arshavin insists: Manchester City will battle for top three place
Andrey Arshavin expects Manchester City to give Arsenal a serious fight for a top-three finish in the Premier League next season.[LNB]The Russia striker admits he has been distracted by the millions being shelled out at Eastlands - but he believes it is too soon to see Roberto Mancini's men challenging for the very top honour.[LNB]City have shelled out about £60million on signing Yaya Toure, David Silva and Jerome Boateng this summer - and they are far from finished.[LNB] Under pressure: Andrey Arshavin in action for Arsenal against Barnet last weekend[LNB]'I don't pay much attention, but the ability of Manchester City to buy up everyone can't be overlooked,' said Arshavin.[LNB]'In principle, City were a dangerous competitor last year, but fighting for first is perhaps too soon. They will compete for third. The other rivals will be the same as always.'[LNB]Arshavin is expecting more signings to arrive at Arsenal before the start of the season, but he has already been impressed by new recruits Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny - even if he work out the latter's surname.[LNB]'We don't pronounce it, his name is restricted to Laurent,' said the 29-year-old. 'Both he and Chamakh look not back - nobody doubts that they are good players.[LNB]'They say that the signings haven't finished. We have four goalkeepers and we conceded none the two (pre-season) matches played so far.[LNB]'But, seriously, if we're talking about (signing Fulham goalkeeper) Schwarzer, it looks like that is off the agenda.'[LNB]Jack Wilshere has impressed in pre-season, setting up two goals in the 4-0 win at Barnet before playing a part in the 3-0 victory over Sturm Graz and Arshavin hopes the 18-year-old can be as good as a new signing for the Gunners.[LNB] Battling with the keeper: Andre Arshavin, left, and Sturm Graz' Silvije Cavlina in action on Wednesday[LNB]Boss Arsene Wenger let Wilshere go out on loan to Bolton last season, but is cautiously optimistic that the talented playmaker can make a breakthrough in north London this season.[LNB]And Arshavin said: 'Wilshere, (Emmanuel) Frimpong and (Havard) Nordtveit have trained with the first team from day one, so no one considers them beginners.[LNB]'If Wenger calls them up to the first team, it means each as talent. The rest depends on themselves. Wilshere is only 18, but he has worked with the first team already for two or three years - longer than me. He went on loan last season, but I hope this season that he really helps us.'[LNB]Wenger has been satisfied that Arshavin's own future is at Arsenal. The Gunners boss was less than impressed at the end of last season when the straight-talking forward told Russian journalists that playing for Barcelona would be the crowning of his career.[LNB]Arshavin has never hid his admiration for the Catalans, but it is understood that Wenger has been assured that he is not trying to engineer a move away from the Emirates Stadium.[LNB]Reports in Russia that he has signed a new improved contract this summer, however, are wide of the mark.[LNB] Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists: We need a good start to make a serious title challengeArsenal rebel Gallas pricing himself out of Panathinaikos move, claims GreeksARSENAL FC
