Source: Team_Talk
Arshavin playing hurt for Arsenal
The midfielder, 28, arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Zenit St Petersburg 12 months ago following one of the most protracted transfers of the last January window.[LNB]Although unable to feature in Europe, Arshavin settled quickly and went on to produce some stunning performances, most notably when grabbing all four goals in a thrilling draw at Anfield during April.[LNB]Arshavin has, though, been given some rough treatment from time to time as the opposition look to limit his impact.[LNB]Despite having spent a few weeks hampered by a foot problem - suffered in the build up to this season's return to Liverpool, where Arshavin crashed in a fine winner from the edge of the box - the Russian will continue to do all he can for the Gunners' cause.[LNB]"It has been quite a good first year overall," Arshavin said in the February edition of the official Arsenal magazine.[LNB]"I seem to have settled in straight away and fitted within the team very well.[LNB]"With my knock at the moment, I am trying my best - after each kick I am feeling pain, but I still train every day.[LNB]"I know I have had a few other injuries, although the clash of heads in the Champions League may have looked nasty, but truthfully it did not hurt very much.[LNB]"Basically it is simple - if I can play, I will.[LNB]"Thank God I have not yet had a serious injury in my career and I hope the situation remains."[LNB]Arshavin continued: "I would have liked to be scoring a little more - and also to be able to do more on the ball.[LNB]"But I am happy enough and the most important thing for us is to be in the title race, which we certainly are."[LNB]Because of Arsenal's injury problems throughout the squad, Arshavin has been deployed in the central striker's role.[LNB]However, with the return to fitness of Denmark frontman Nicklas Bendtner, who had been out for three months after groin surgery, the Russian could be back in his playmaker role for the visit of Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United tomorrow.[LNB]Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believes Arshavin is a special talent.[LNB]"I am very happy with Arshavin, because in every big game he is influential and creates the chances," he said.[LNB]"When you look at him, he turns up when it is really needed - not at 4-0, but at 0-0.[LNB]"Arshavin is always coming up with something special. He is a player whom you always rely on in a big game like that.[LNB]"He likes the big stage. He can be quiet for 20 minutes, and then suddenly turn up with something decisive.[LNB]"That is what you want from the big players - the big players make you win the big games."[LNB]Wenger feels Arshavin can sometimes suffer from being targeted as an attacking outlet.[LNB]"He is always marked very tight and people do not give him a lot of room," said the Arsenal manager.[LNB]"Everybody who plays against Arshavin says 'make sure you mark him tight'.[LNB]"But even when he is marked tight in some of the so-called less big games, when you look at the tape afterwards, you always think 'this movement was good', or 'this pass was great'."[LNB]The Russian admits he has been taken aback by the demands of the English game.[LNB]Arshavin said: "I heard every game here would be very difficult, even when you play against a team in the relegation zone, and that was different for me - and while I expected physical football, I perhaps did not predict it to this extent.[LNB]"The referees do not whistle when someone just pushes you a little bit, it is seen as nothing, you must play on.[LNB]"Of course that makes the game quicker, but for me it is not always great."[LNB][LNB] Arsenal v Man. Utd 1st Goalscorer: Arshavin, A. 15/2
