Source: Daily_Mail
Depressed Arshavin loses Arsenal mojo as he hits out at Russia claims
Andrey Arshavin admits he is struggling to find the motivation to play for Arsenal after suffering the disappointment of failing to make the World Cup finals.[LNB]The forward has been singled out for criticism after Russia's play-off defeat by Slovenia, but has angrily denied claims that he was out drinking with team-mates before the crucial matches.[LNB]Depressed Arshavin has been shaken by his own poor performance, but says claims of over-indulgence were made up by envious Russian journalists with outdated Soviet attitudes.[LNB] Back in the routine: Andrey Arshavin had to be talked in to playing against Standard Liege[LNB]'Frankly speaking, I'm not surprised that there are so many rumours,' he told Russian newspaper Sport Express. 'It is a typical situation for our country.[LNB]No way through: Andrey Arshavin struggles against Slovenia[LNB]'When people asked me about this in England, I called it rubbish. One can't treat such rumours seriously. Are we so mad to kill our own dream?[LNB]'Usually there is something that triggers the rumours - something small and trivial that gets blown out of proportion - but in this case there was nothing at all and could never have been.[LNB]'In the national team, nobody can drink, let alone get drunk before the games. Nobody. And if it had happened, that would have been the last day you saw that guy in the team.'[LNB]Arshavin revealed he was so deflated by missing out on South Africa 2010 that he needed Arsene Wenger to console and cajole him into playing in the Champions League victory over Standard Liege on Tuesday.[LNB]'I have not recovered after the Slovenian fiasco,' he said. 'I can call my state prostration.[LNB] Yellow peril: A frustrated Arshavin is cautioned for pushing an opponent[LNB]'I don't know what I can compare it to, though many things happened in my career. My loved ones tell me now that I must forget what happened as soon as possible.[LNB]'I need to turn my attention to the club's matters, but it is easily said but not easily done.[LNB]'At the moment nothing spurs me to life. When Arsene Wenger asked me how I was feeling I honestly said that I just did not want to play football. [LNB]'He spoke to me, advised to switch to new things but it does not help at the moment.'[LNB]Arshavin looked bright as he helped Arsenal to a 2-0 win over Liege and he will need to be up for the fight when Chelsea go to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.[LNB]His Russia side failed to make South Africa 2010 on the away goals rule after a 1-0 win for Slovenia in Maribor followed a 2-1 defeat in Moscow.[LNB] Bloody return: Arshavin and team-mate William Gallas (left) were injured after clashing heads against Standard[LNB]Arshavin has apologised for struggling to live up to expectations in the match, but feels he is unfairly shouldering the blame.[LNB]'I did my best on the pitch, but the legs would not run,' he said. 'As for the claims about me personally, that is my fate. Wins are for the entire team, but the main scapegoat when we lose is usually Arshavin and I am used to it.'[LNB]The backlash in his homeland has led to accusations that Russia's star players have become complacent and big-headed following the Euro 2008 success and a burgeoning global profile.[LNB]'Those people who say that we were left to ourselves in the team but needed sticks rather than carrots are still living in the Soviet Union where everything failure could be blamed on booze, partying and being outside the collective.[LNB]'In our team every player is a professional and does his work willfully, not under the lash, and many journalists cannot simply find football reasons for defeat and so seek them in familiar ideas.[LNB]'Sometimes it is their only revenge on certain footballer for rejecting an interview or something. They would be better to think why they deserve such treatment.'[LNB] Arsenal injury crisis deepens as left-back Kieran Gibbs is ruled out for three months with a broken metatarsalAlmunia warns Arsenal to prepare for battle in their derby clash with ChelseaArsenal's time is now, claims manager Arsene WengerALL THE WEEKEND'S BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM NEWS ARSENAL FC
