Awesome Arshavin

Mark Buckingham is in awe of Andrei Arshavin after the Russian's display against the Dutch

Last updated: 21st June 2008

Awesome Arshavin

Arshavin: Silenced doubts about selection

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He may have missed the opening two games of Euro 2008, but Andrei Arshavin must be on his way to becoming the player of the tournament.

Many thought Russia coach Guus Hiddink had taken too much of a risk by including Arshavin in his squad, knowing the playmaker was suspended for the group matches against Spain and Greece.

But, following a sparkling showing in the 2-0 win over Sweden which secured a quarter-final berth, Arshavin took his level up another notch with a virtuoso display to knock out Holland in the last eight.

The Zenit St Petersburg star has been linked with a £10million move to the Premier League, with Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle United all rumoured to hold an interest.

Bargain

On this evidence, that sum will be a bargain as Arshavin appears to have all the tools in his kit to be a huge success in English football.

He showed great strength on one occasion to win the ball off Johnny Heitinga and set up another attack, but obviously it is his technical ability which could see all 20 Premier League clubs beating a path to Zenit's door.

Arshavin forced a superb fingertip save out of Edwin van der Sar in the first half and had the keeper scrambling across goal in the second half after an audacious free-kick.

His clever reverse pass released Sergei Semak to cross for Roman Pavlyuchenko to score the opening goal and in the first period of extra-time he created a great chance for Dmitri Torbinski.

Another burst of pace in the second period of extra-time, followed by a cute cross to the far post, allowed Torbinski to restore Russia's lead before Arshavin got the goal his performance merited.

Reacting quickly and intelligently to latch on to a throw-in behind the Dutch defence, Arshavin drilled a shot, with the aid of a slight deflection, through Van der Sar's legs.

For me, he has similar characteristics and ability to the Tottenham-bound Luka Modric and it would be no surprise if Arshavin joins the Croatian in the Premier League next season.

Sneijder's Dutch drive

As for Holland, Ruud van Nistelrooy again showed his predatory instincts are working well with a diving header, and he has been linked with a move to Tottenham, should Dimitar Berbatov leave White Hart Lane.

The pick of Holland's outfield players was Wesley Sneijder and, if I was Manchester United, I would be snapping Real Madrid's hands off to take the midfielder as part exchange for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Reports have suggested Sneijder will be offered to United as a sweetener to secure Ronaldo and he displayed enough to suggest the Portuguese winger would not be missed too much.

Capable of shooting from all angles, with either foot, Sneijder also showed commendable drive and determination to help Holland get back into the game.

He whipped in a magnificent free-kick for Van Nistelrooy to equalise and he is another player who would be a welcome addition to the Premier League next season.

Comments (18)

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Ashley Hinchcliffe (West Ham United fan) says...

We need Arshavin to bolster our squad, please Curbs, you gotta buy this guy!!! I think he would be the perfect Hitman for the Hammers!

Posted 06:40 23rd June 2008

Daniel Taylor (Manchester United fan) says...

Gareth Jordan... I'd be interested to see Klebersons performances in the Euros that merited Fergies purchase of him, especially since he's Brazilian. Arshavin seems different to the rest seeing as hes quite skillful, but also strong and determined. Well done to whichever club signs him I think

Posted 00:50 23rd June 2008

Billy Mcfarland (Liverpool fan) says...

Some what dismayed to see a Liverpool fan calling for the purchase of a player who has performed well in two matches... Cant help but think back to Houllier letting Anelka walk away from Anfield whilst going out and spending 11 million ish on Diouf.. Why does everybody seem to go daft when a major championship is on and rush out to buy the first bloke who plays two to three decent games... Thankfully I cant see Rafa spending a fortune on a player he hasn't thoroughly scouted. Ryan Babel the man to watch this season. Good steady grounding in the Premiership now watch the boy go!!!!

Posted 23:35 22nd June 2008

Jack Walker (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...

Top quality player, no doubt if Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko came to play in England both would certainly do well. I agree with what Daniel Stuart says, that Man Utd could sell Ronaldo, cash in, £70mill?, buy Arshavin and would do as effective job, but cheaper. For all we no, Ronaldo could break his leg and never play again, so cash in while you still can.

Posted 21:04 22nd June 2008

Matthew Armitage (Manchester United fan) says...

Arshavin is not just a new name from Euro 2008, he has been Russia's No.1 player for a few years and his performances for not only Russia but Zenit have been magnifficent t say the least. He would be the new Paul Scholes to Man United, he has the touch, the skill, the vision, the accuracy, the positioning, the runs and a eye for goal, everything you need from an attacking midfield playmaker for anyone sayin he isn't good enough have not realy watched him play or just dont know the first thing about football.

Posted 16:51 22nd June 2008

George B. (Charlton Athletic fan) says...

Daniel Stuart has got it right. Gazprom supply Europe with nearly a 1/4 of its oil so understandably their pockets are quite deep. Arshavin may want to leave to play at a 'higher' stage but should Gazprom offer him high enough wages I highly doubt he would venture off to a foreign country only to earn less money. Don't forget also that he is a one-club man and may well want to see out the rest of his career at Zenit. Any articles currently linking him with a move away are pure speculation based on his Euro performance and in the end it will all come down to $$$.

Posted 16:30 22nd June 2008

James Breen (Manchester United fan) says...

Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko (sorry if i mis-spelt that) have proven that Russian football is now one of the major forces to be reckoned with. And personally I would love to see both of them pull on the Man Utd shirt and they deserve it more than a certain No.7 who has disgraced himself after the faith that Sir Alex showed in signing him!!!! He wil achieve more stayin than selling out.....but back to topic i firmly think both Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko wil be premiership players next year and they will be immediate successes!!!

Posted 16:14 22nd June 2008

Jimmy Ricardo (Manchester United fan) says...

Arshavin, Zhirkov and Pavlyuchenko can rip apart any team. This combination is unstoppable...Almighty Arsh seems to have matured into a fine player and it now looks like the right time to sign him. Although it grimaces me to say this...but i heavily feel he's the man who can fill the void if ronaldo departs. Ive watched him slice through Bayern Munich, thwart Rangers' defence, and totally dictate attacking play against Sweden and now Holland. He has the ability to control a game far more consistently than that of ronaldo's. Every time Arsh and the rest attack, you always feel they will cause significant damage, in a way which is very similar to Arsenals style. Since he's been back, Russia have looked barely recognisbale to that shaky team which first entered the tournament. I backed them as the dark horses before euro 08 and now the Almighty Arsh is back i will reaffirm that belief!!!

Posted 16:13 22nd June 2008

Nick Parker (Everton fan) says...

Having played against Arshavin in the UEFA Everton had a heads up as to how good he was and should have done the deal straight after Zenit won it but we are too busy trying to move to the Tesco stadium outside Liverpool. And why has Moyes not yet signed a new contract? SORT IT OUT.

Posted 15:32 22nd June 2008

Radha Kaur (Manchester United fan) says...

NO DOUBT Arshavin is a very big talent. He plays tactical football with great precision and strength. He has a good cross and has great pace. Most off these skills are perfect for the Premier League. As a United fan, i would obviously say that Utd should invest in him. On a further note, if Ronaldo is to leave, which is inevitable, Arshavin would make a more than ideal player to replace him. He could play behind Tevez and Rooney. Also he is a extremely capable man, with a great future layed out in front of him. Lets United snap him up fast!

Posted 15:04 22nd June 2008

Mamour Jagne (Manchester United fan) says...

Arshavin is an excellent player and ambassador for Russian football.

Posted 13:49 22nd June 2008

True Blue (Chelsea fan) says...

Funny, you guys. Arshavin is a Chelsea player already. Roman Abrahamovich has spoken directly with the boy's club management and his agent since last year woth a view to securing him for 2008/09 season. Remember last summer, when the papers were awash with stories of Abrahamovich wanting a Russian player to be in Chelsea? Voila! Arshavin. So that resolves that. Villa is up for grabs though...

Posted 13:10 22nd June 2008

Jay Spencer (Arsenal fan) says...

Though Arshavin is a top top player, he has the unfortunate knack of going to ground far far to easily, in Russia's last match the ref was overly sympathetic towards him as he dived around. Top player, but needs to sort out his simulation.

Posted 12:43 22nd June 2008

Chris Gibson (Manchester City fan) says...

Forget about buying Ronaldhino City, set your sights on Arshavin as he will be a future world footballer of the year, not some has been who will just move for the money !

Posted 12:13 22nd June 2008

Gareth Jordan (Manchester United fan) says...

The only way Sir Alex Ferguson will sign either Sneijder or Arshavin is if he has been tracking them for a long time. He has openly said that he will not buy another player purely on the performances from Euro 2008. Can other United fans remember the disasters I'm referring to?....Cruyff, Poborski, Kleberson etc....Need I say more?

Posted 10:36 22nd June 2008

Daniel Stuart (Chelsea fan) says...

Russian fan here. Just in case some people are wondering - who the hell is Arshavin? Well - Russian player of the year, Russian National Team Captain (prior to his suspension), Zenit player who had played a huge role in winning first Russian championship in 24 years and Zenit player who had played an even bigger role in Zenit winning first EURO trophy and only second ever by a Russian team... Now probably likes of Newcastle and Everton and Arsenal will be thinking time to snap him up - until his agent tells them what he is earning a year and what the price tag is Man Utd could afford him after Ronaldo goes though - wouldn't be a bad buy - playing behind Rooney + Tevez. Just in case if some people think he can come cheaply - forget it in terms of wages paid - Russia are only behind England and Spain probably ;) - and his club are owned by Gazprom 3rd richest company in the world so think again.

Posted 03:12 22nd June 2008

Kevin Joseph (Arsenal fan) says...

What a great player Arshavin is having seeing him for the first time i hope that this sort of flair player will join arsenal, as usual Sneijder yet again was the best player for holland but the better team won

Posted 23:04 21st June 2008

Francis Chudley (Liverpool fan) says...

Please Liverpool FC by Arshavin! He is a top quality player and would link up brilliantly with Torres.

Posted 22:58 21st June 2008
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