Arshavin admits to title doubt

Gunners ace fears Wenger's men may fall short

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 24th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Arshavin admits to title doubt

Arshavin: Wants new signings

Without new experienced players, real stars, it will be difficult to achieve success.

Andrey Arshavin
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Andrey Arshavin fears Arsenal may lack the strength in depth required to compete for major trophies.

The Gunners are hoping to complete a domestic and European double this season, with their campaign still promising much.

They sit second in the Premier League table, two points behind leaders Manchester United, and have reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

However, Arsene Wenger's resources have been pushed to their limit at times this season, with unfortunate injuries taking their toll.

A lack of transfer activity, last summer and in January, has left them thin on the ground and Arshavin admits that frugal approach could prove costly.

Variety

"I am still of the opinion that to win trophies Arsenal needs more players," the Russian forward is quoted as saying in The Sun.

"There is the simple fact that last summer we sold two players and bought only one. So there is an obvious deficit of at least one. Then we lost (Robin) Van Persie, (Kieran) Gibbs and (Aaron) Ramsey for a long time. So for me it is natural we need new players.

"Without the variety of players we have less diversity in attack. That allows our opponents to read our combinations more easily. Finally, it results in less ball possession for us and our defence comes under more pressure.

"The Premier League is very interesting, at least as long as we continue fighting to win it. But without new experienced players, real stars, it will be difficult to achieve success.

"Ideally we need three or four such experienced players and then among our youths there should be guys who are not only good at playing football but have real character."

Comments (147)

Ali Mahgoub (Arsenal fan) says...

This is most probably the media putting words in his mouth because any Arsenal player would not say this in such a vital part of the season. Arsenal fans commenting have no faith in the team what so ever what do you mean "more sceptical on champions league" HAVE FAITH , we will win the double no doubt. Arshavin is on form its just that the man is absolutely exhausted, he is the only one that runs in this team and you could see him panting by the 60 min, he always the one that does the running in counter attacks.

Posted 22:52 24th March 2010

Jamie Harris (Arsenal fan) says...

I totally agree with Arshavin's comments, but think that it's not the best time to say it!! But if we didn't have these bad injuries, then the squad would look a lot larger. Besides it doesn't matter how large the squad is you lose one of your most important players, in our case Van Persie, then the squad no matter how big cannot replace that player, what happens to Man Utd if Rooney gets injured this season...

Posted 21:52 24th March 2010

Kabir Mathur (Manchester United fan) says...

I wonder where Arsenal would be if they lost 8 first string defenders?Do you lot even have 8 quality defenders in your squad.Fact of the matter is,we have the depth of squad necessary to win the EPL and always have whereas Arsenal simply doesn't. When Scholes,Giggs and Neville decide to call it a day I'm sure we will have adequate replacements lined up as we always have when we've lost major players in the past. In Fergie we trust!

Posted 13:25 24th March 2010

Charlie Brown (Manchester United fan) says...

Mike Deegan, are you really making arguments such as 'imagine if we had Rooney or Torres' in that case imagine if Man Utd had Messi or Iniesta. Fact of the matter is Man Utd are challenging for their fourth successive title and thrid successive Champions League Final, meanwhile Arsenal haven't won anything since 2005. You talk of playing the best football, but the objective of the game is to win things, typical Arsenal rhetoric 'We don't win things, but we accept this as a trade off for playing good football against weaker teams'

Posted 13:24 24th March 2010

Steve Grace says...

Being a gunner, its a little dissapointing to see comments like this emerge at such a vital stage of the season. One of the things i was lead to believe is that the belief, confidence & ability of all the players is what drove the team. I think the Arsenal team can do the league this year (little more sceptical about the champ league though) Also, @ jane o'leary and any other replies to that comment. Utd have players that would make the arsenal squad, but not all of them. We have different playing styles. I think van der sar, vidic, carrick, park & rooney. For me they are utd's best players. but the fact is, we have vermaelen, fabregas, song, van persie & eduardo. all great players, the latter 2 suffering due to injurys. So they would replace, but they would be rotated in my opinion. Anyways, its gonna be a great finish to the season. COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!

Posted 13:24 24th March 2010

Chris Doyle (Arsenal fan) says...

Chris Doyle (Arsenal 4 life) Arshavin seems to be losing his focus of the game and ultimately the TEAM ARSENAL. The big signing from Arsene is yet to show any glimpse of the GREATS Arsenal had over the years and yet he is opining to hide his own lack of form and fitness as an execuse. The Gonners always had the beliefe, courage and the spirit to prove their critics wrong, and would do so again. We may do good with signing of couple of defensive player, but to wite them off and from Arsenal own player is something really un-acceptable. Arsenal 4 Life

Posted 13:20 24th March 2010

Andre Benn (Arsenal fan) says...

A Man United fan earlier commented. "Fletcher or Carrick vs. Song and Diaby. Which will you pick ...Song and Diaby any day, any time and any season. Granted we have lost miserably to both ManU and Chelski but its a marathon not a sprint and the table never lies. Come May 9th, we can revisit this discussion

Posted 13:20 24th March 2010

Robert Barr (Manchester United fan) says...

Mike.....U talk alot of rubbish. Van der saar retires there is Ben foster, Who will be Englands number 1. Wen Rio leaves we have a very good replacment in Johnny Evans who has showed against Arsenal how good he is. Everyone said if we had't got Ronaldo then we would struggle. As shown over the years someone steps up to the mantel..Cantona left Beckham took over. Beckham left Ronnie and now Ronnie is gone we have Rooney....So wen Cesc leaves for Barcelona.....Who will replace him?

Posted 13:16 24th March 2010

Paul Harte (Manchester United fan) says...

To Khalid Khan We would probably be in the same position we are in now.... Top of the league. Don't forget we had 4 out of our first pick back 5 out for most of the season. We have strength in dept. All this what if you didn't have Rooney, well guess what we have!!! Pretty much like Barca have Messi great teams have great players!!! Arsenal fans getting all excited 'cause they're still involved in tittle challenge in late March. Come back when you are on for 4 in a row!!!

Posted 13:10 24th March 2010

Stephan Cannon (Manchester United fan) says...

Everyone can sit there and bemoan. But you have to give Arsenal credit. Sitting in second place and still in the champions league (respect). My dream is of another all English final. I am a M.U. fan but enjoy watching Arsenal.. they play football, unlike Chelsea who play 'bullyball' ... (get the ball and the player.) I also respect Wenger, apart from his constant moaning. I've sat and watched over the years how Fergie and Wenger have had their wars of words, but now have great respect for each other... a good example for all TRUE fans of the great game.

Posted 13:09 24th March 2010

Steve Fletcher (Manchester United fan) says...

you may play the best football but what has that gotten you in the oast few years. zero trophies. you can have the title of the best football playing team, I'd prefer having 4 titles in a row!

Posted 13:07 24th March 2010

John Edwards (Arsenal fan) says...

Its for all to see that the the united fans are clinging on for dear life. Your reign is over. Its fun reading some of these comments from Manu supporters, yes you're right we have been comfortably beaten by both Chelsea and United but we are right up in the thick of it and we have momentum. Our form is the best. Despite having the worst injury front all season we are still challenging for two major honours. That proves we have strength in depth. And I would rather Song + Diaby anytime than Carrick + Fletcher. You only have to check out the actim index to see that our players are ranked higher. Adios Amigos

Posted 13:05 24th March 2010

Steve Dunbar (Arsenal fan) says...

All these excuses regarding injuries from man utd, chelsea and arsenal fans annoys me. Football is a squad game and you're only as good as your second 11. Arsenal have coped admirably this season and every team could do with one or 2 players. As I recall this statement from Arshavin is at least two months old and is being used as a tool to try and destabilise arsenals title ambitions. As for all the morons saying that Arsenal were outclassed in the four games against Man U and Chelsea this season. How many games did Utd win against the top for last year and still win the title? The league is over 38 games and whoever wins it this year will have deserved it and I'd applaud them.

Posted 13:01 24th March 2010

Jon Alexander (AFC Wimbledon fan) says...

to Jane O'leary (Arsenal): United have a quality midfield..Simple as...Arsenal only have Cesc doing it for them right now..take him out and Arsenal have no invention, no drive and dont really pose a great attacking threat. Please dont blame Arshavin being misunderstood (why because hes Russian?), its clear what he is saying...Arsenal NEED some more quality players, unfortunatly Arsen doesnt have the funds to buy those players! They are linked with numerous starlets but its been a long time since kids won the prem league (UNITED 96) also if the gunners second string are that good and better then Uniteds then why is Arsen not playing them? Fergies has the right mix of experience and youth at United. Arsenal and Wenger have mad their situation quite clear when they signed United old boy Silvetre and brought Campbell back from the footballing wilderness...They are papering over cracks, just like liverpool they are flattering to decieve. Wenger knows he will find it hard to hold on to Cesc if they dont win something this year. Arsenal Barca ties will determine that..Just like the great Henry deceided to play one season at the emirates then leave! In my opinion once wenger manages to find the funds to bring in two quality defenders a decent No.2 to push Almunia, a world class holding midfielder to allow Cesc to break free and two quality defenders then I think you will have a case for Arsenal and they will win the league. With Chelsea stutering and and Arsenal having no real cover I can only see one team wining it..United.

Posted 13:01 24th March 2010

Foyzul Islam (Manchester United fan) says...

Oh dear, oh dear oh dear. The Man united team this year eclipses the arsenal squad by miles. And really, only 3 man united players? Half the squad could get into the arsenal line up. Van der saar, vidic, Ferdinand, evra, park ji sung, fletcher, Valencia, rooney. The man united players are better than their counterparts at arsenal. We just have a problem at right back that¿s about it, the rest of our squad are all world class players who are superstars of their national teams. What is the point of playing pretty football and passing it around for awhile if your not going to get the ball in the net. Arsenal have not managed to maintain their team since the times of tony adams, viera, henry...whereas man united have kept the consistency and managed to replace players for like for like players. Its always man united vs chelsea or arsenal or liverpool every year.

Posted 13:00 24th March 2010

Steve Cullen (Arsenal fan) says...

Luke Chambers Being a man united fan (probably not even from manchester) Of course your going to say that, how biased can you get.

Posted 12:55 24th March 2010

Emaeyak Etokeren (Arsenal fan) says...

Mr Ashavin caused Russia to miss the WC ticket imo and he is up to it again @ Arsenal. He is undoubtedly gifted when he's in his game but this is certainly a very wrong approach to adopt at this crucial stage of the league. I sincerely hope he's misquoted but i doubt because his on-field body language, especially recently, shows he doesn't care about Arsenal.He is however saying the obvious, just not sure why he should make that a press issue. For anyone who cares, if we don't falter @ Birmingham this weekend,I see Arsenal winning this league against all odds. Mr Arshavin should be allowed to go to his prefered Barca and regret like others before him. He should not also start against Barca, He should start from the bench. In case you forget in a hurry, as much as i like Henry, he costed us the UCL final in Paris. Had he scored the one-on-one with Valdes on 69mins, we could have gone on to silence the doubters. Finally, while I will like AW to invest in the playing squad in the summer, this is time to stick together for the final push. I didn't even expect us to come this far sincerely.Sylvestre and Fabianski worry me in my beloved Arsenal's jersey.

Posted 12:55 24th March 2010

Ian Wells (Arsenal fan) says...

A few matters that it seems people are missing. Agreed, we do lack a little strength in depth of experienced players, but if you include the fringe players, we still have a relatively equipt squad. I have seen Arshavin give interviews and i have seen how the press have written them. Unless i hear the words coming out of a players mouth then, its pointless lending any weight on it. As for the Man U fans that only watch there team on Match of the Day, if you are that much better than an 'average' Arsenal team, why only the two point lead. Granted at home you played us off the park but at Trafford it was the other way round. You did get the 3 points but with an honest view, cannot scream that we are that poor. Fact is, even with the average bunch of players people keep telling us we have, we are still Prem Top Scorers, still 2nd and still in Champions league, unlike Chelsea and all there millions. Perhaps, we wont win it this season but i think the tag of pretenders can be put to bed now. Arguably, Arsenal play some of the most attractive football in the world, and that is opinion shared by many and not just an Arsenal fan. Perhaps we wont win a trophy this season, but we will all still stand together and admire and marvel the beauty of our game. Perhaps, if other teams ran it the club a bit more responsibly, we wouldnt have teams in administration or "Anti-owner" protests from the stand. Say what you want about us Gooners, but at least we will all stand together, top or bottom, and enjoy a beautiful sight on a saturday afternoon!

Posted 12:55 24th March 2010

Carl Hendrickson (Arsenal fan) says...

@Zami Ncube (Blackburn Rovers fan) - SPOT ON! People....are we not realising where this was quoted from?!?! THE SUN Newspaper!! I might as well get a quote of Wikipedia if that's the case!!

Posted 12:53 24th March 2010

Bill F (Newcastle United fan) says...

Luke Chambers, 2-1 at Old Trafford was a thrashing was it? Arsenal were the better team that day by a long way. Maybe you didn't see the game.

Posted 12:49 24th March 2010

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