Arsene Wenger to unleash Andrei Arshavin

20 February 2009 21:02
Amid repeated calls from supporters for a new holding midfielder, Wenger spent £15 million on the mercurial attacking talents of Arshavin during the January transfer window and is making little attempt to play down the significance of his club record signing.[LNB]Indeed, when Arshavin's capacity to withstand the physical demands of the Premier League was queried on Friday, Wenger simply answered with reference to the two greatest players in history. "It is amazing," he said. "People are always concerned about size but, if you take the best players in the world, you had Maradona who was 168cms and Pele 169cms, so it is not a handicap."[LNB]For the record, Arshavin stands at around 171cm (5ft 7ins), though it is his football ability that excites Wenger. Having previously brought out the best in Marc Overmars, Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires, Wenger appears to have earmarked Arshavin for a wide position within what could be an extremely offensive 4-4-2 formation. [LNB]Indeed, his eyes lit up at the suggestion of Arshavin and Samir Nasri operating as his two wingers. "It looks good," he said. "The potential is there, the skill is there, the technical quality is there. We have always played with two creative players on the flanks.[LNB]"It is very important for our efficiency. I believe he will start right or left because that is a position where we can move a lot – so I can start him on the flanks. I feel always when a player can pass people in the final third they have something special. What I like about Arshavin is he is calm in his final ball."[LNB]That temperament was also a major consideration for Wenger, who was impressed by Arshavin's own desire to move into the Premier League from the familiarity of Zenit St Petersburg. "You can never be sure 100 per cent about a player but he has the personality, class and vision," Wenger said.[LNB] "There has always been a question mark about whether Russian players would make it over here. I believe there is a culture shock. I believe that when a player is intelligent and mentally strong he can become even stronger when he goes abroad."[LNB]The arrival of Arshavin coincides with the returns from injury over the next month of Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott, who is in talks with Arsenal over a new contract. An offer of around £60,000-a-week was put forward this week by chief executive Ivan Gazidis, but negotiations are ongoing. Wenger added that Rosicky was looking "unbelievably strong" in training.[LNB]

Source: Telegraph