Arsene Wenger hits the wrong target in Andrei Arshavin

Arsene Wenger always said that it would take a particular kind of player to persuade him to spend big money in the transfer market. Most imagined that it would be a young goalkeeper, central defender or defensive midfield player of outstanding potential, a player who could plug one of the gaps in his squad without forcing him to deviate from his vision of a youthful Arsenal team playing wonderful football.

What few imagined was that he would regard Andrei Arshavin, the Zenit St Petersburg and Russia playmaker, as the missing link.

Arshavin, 27, is a wonderful player and it is easy to see how, playing behind Emmanuel Adebayor or Robin van Persie, he might further enrich Arsenal’s attacking play, particularly while Cesc Fabregas is missing through injury. But, given the flakiness of Arsenal’s goalkeeper, central defence and central midfield, should a playmaker, even such a talented one, really be Wenger’s top priority right now?

The Debate: Is £20 million-rated Arshavin really what Arsenal need?

Comments

[Shane]

So glad that Oli Kay has finally pointed out the obvious. 3 problems with Arshavin going to Arsenal. 1) Andrei Arshavin is a player who needs the side to be built around him to be at his most effective - this was demonstrated at Euro 2008. Arsenal would have to change their formation to 4-5-1 from a 4-4-2, so Adebayor or Van Persie would end up on the bench. While in the past Wenger has been able to convert this kind of player to a wide midfielder (Hleb, Rosicky, Nasri) I don't think this would work with Arshavin. 2) Arshavin comes to the Emirates and runs the midfield, with likely success - until April when Fabregas returns from injury. Then what happens. They cant both be Arsenal's key man. 3) Attacking players are not what Arsenal need, even when opposing sides defend deep, Arsenal rarely fail to score. They do, however, rarely keep clean sheets. Mathieu Flamini - and to a lesser extent, Sol Campbell - have not been replaced at the Emirates and Arsenal have been a weaker side a result.

[morgao]

@JVO: I agree with you he does appear to be a bit of a fiery character. But I reckon adding one more spice to the already spicy dressing room (RVP, Gallas v Toure etc) could be quite interesting!!!
As for Seedorf, he is one of the only players I have consistently wished to see playing for Arsenal for the past decade. He is an excellent player, but no less of a fire starter than Van Bommel by all acounts.
Anyway back to Arshavin, I really hope we can tie this deal up soon. The Christmas period has finished in Russia now, and Advocaat is already pleading with the board to sort prospective transfers out so I'm hoping to see some movement soon.

[Jay]

although i agree that a playmaker is not what we need, i still think arshavin would be a quality player for any team. I personally feel we only need 3 players to be a complete team. Mathew Upson to shore up the defence, yaya toure to break up opposition play, and finally Joe Hart a young english keeper with bags of potential.

[JvO]

@MORGAO: Oh, Mark's combative allright. Lockerroom-disruptive too. AND sees a lot of Red. I think a lot of Dutch fans would be scratching their heads at your choice. I know he's back on the Oranje team but that's because his father-in-law is the new coach. I don't see the Dutch winning much, not while playing with ten men much of the time...

As for Flamini, I agree, but he didn't last long. Too bad Seedorf won't leave AC. Good for a couple of years anyway.

[MK]

For starters, we dont need a keeper. I think that Almunia's been fantastic this season. We do need a big centre half but I think that can be solved by recalling Phillipe Senderos. We do however, urgently need a defensive/holding midfielder. I think that Miguel Veloso would be a good option for this position. Mathieu Flamini has had barely any playing time at AC Milan. Despite the (re)aquisition of Flamini is incredibly unlikely, it is still possible. Arshavin is the right player for Arsenal. He can play in the centre of midfield, down the wings, or as a striker. He can fit in to our system well and he will be brilliant at the Emirates!

[Stanislav]

Hi to everyone!
As for me-Arshavin is a good choice for Arsenal, because there's lack of creativity now - even comparing with the begining of this not-very-good season. Arshavin suits AW model 100% and can bring a lot.
DM-position is also top-priority - if Arsenal signs top-class DM, there's no need in another CB. And there's totally no need in better keeper. Without good DM even Cech or Van der Sar would have concended 20+ goals.

[morgao]

@JVO: I agree he definitely isn't a proponent of Wengerball in the classic sense, but could you say Flamini was, or going further back Ray Parlour or Gilles Grimandi?

I think it would be a shrewd signing, he has the combativeness we lack and is also good on the ball, strong and scores goals. I agree its not exaclty long term, but we have plenty of long term prospects already.

I would second that Tymochuk would also be ideal but I doubt very much Zenit would release two players to us.

[Harry harinordiquy]

Buying Arshavin does not mean AW won't also snap up a defensive midfielder?

I suspect he also knows a new keeper is required, but there won't be one coming in in January.

Djourou is being developed as the big CB, alongside one of Kolo or Gallas.

Arshavin is top quality and given we are struggling to break teams down in the absence of cesc/theo/rosicky, we need him. He could be absolutely electric.

[WhitePage]

Arsenal should buy Arshavin... and Timoshchuk, who is a wonderful defensive midfielder. He impressed SAR during MU-Zenit Super Cup game last summer. Arsenal needs a backbone of classy experience at this moment. Please remember this simple truth in this discussion. As for Arshavin, he is experienced, he is eager to play for Arsenal, and last but not least, he is the best Russian player in history, including seventy years of Soviet Union. He is much better than Hleb, and remember Hleb was very useful in Arsenal. Arshavin's hidden passes are so sublime, and his football intelligence and unpredictability on the pitch are so good that it sometimes amounts to a genius. Arsene Wenger is deep enough to see such things. This is why he wants AA. It does not mean that a cementing midfielder is not needed.

[petr]

The claim that Arsenal NEED a new 'keeper, central defenders, and a tough defensive midfielder ignores the facts. Most if not all "pundits" would take Friedel over Almunia, Laursen over any of Arsenal's central defenders, and Barry in preference to any of Arsenal's current group of midfielders. Yet up to Laursen's injury, Villa were exactly one goal better off than Arsenal, and remain just one goal better off today.

Arsenal have five draws and three one-goal defeats. By definition, one goal more scored would be as good as one less goal conceded in changing everyone of those results.

Football is and will always be a team sport. If including Arshavin will improve the team, he's worth buying if they can afford him. It's that simple.

[abharrisson]

Arshavin is the wrong choice to improve the side and the proof is in our goals against column.
Arsenal have the worst defensive record of any of the top "four" and its a fact that you need to be the best or near the best in defence to win titles and certainly the PL.
Arshavin will merely add a further creative midfielder to the isx or so already at the club who when not playing are either warming the bench or in for prolonged treatment.
Spending this kind of money will also stop the expensive surgery that is required in central defence and central midfield from happening in the summer.
Imagine if a David Moyes or Martin O'niel were to come in.The very first thing they would do is add significant personell to the defensive roles, the second would be to do what Wenger doesn't and thats to re-instill a bit of the martinet on the training ground when it comes to defensive training.
if wenger signs arshavin it will with absolute certainty mark the begining of the end of his career at the club.

[Floyd Green]

Arsenal need a more combative midfielder to complement the likes of Fabregas, Nasri & the injured Rosicky. Denilson & Diaby are not suited to that role. Letting Flamini leave was a big mistake. Arshavin isn't the answer, dare I suggest Wigan's Palacios in the holding midfield role. Purchasing a quality centre back wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[JvO]

@ MORGAO: Eh? Van Bommel? Well, okay, if you mean he would add muscle and meanness... Not exactly a Wengerball prospect. As for Arshavin, once Fabregas and Rosicky are back, where would you play him? Better a clutch defender with height and Gomes in goal.

[Alexey]

Arshavin has never actually been a classic playmaker. He has always played as forward ( although normally in a pair with someone large like Pogrebnyak, or Kerzhakov who is more focused on finishing). 20 mln seems too much. Even though I'm a personal fan, I would not buy for that much. The higher the price, the higher the risk due to greater expectations. 10 mln would sound more adequate. What may distinguish Arshavin from most Russian players, is that he speaks English, which is very important for quick adapting.

[Richie Woodcock]

In response to Nick and his comment about Toure.....recovering from Malaria is no joke pal. It's no surprise he hasn't been in form. Throw in the fact that Gallas and him are not a good CB partnership and there are your reasons why he has been poor. Make no mistake...a fit and raring to go Toure alongside Djourou is a quality partnership.

[Yemco]

Arsenal need Ashavin, Yaya Toure or Arteta to bolster arsenal midfield.

[Joseph]

It seems to me that Arshavin is being referred to as a short term fix for Arsenals injury problems. My main concern is that Arshavin isn't playing close to the standard he was during the summer, and it might take him time to get back to that.
Also, if you want to get the most out of him, then you need to play him of a lone striker, giving him the freedom to roam in to positions the opposition are neglecting defensively, but this would mean dropping one of their strikers.
I look forward to the possibility of him playing in the premier league, but I'm not expecting fireworks straight away.

[Tom Wesseldine]

I don't see how Arsenal need Arshavin, perhaps this is paving the way for Cesc to leave for Barcelona come summer time? Also with Nasri, Rosicky to return, and Wenger wanting to slowly integrate Ramsey and Wilshire, there are a lot of players all fighting for that creative midfield role. In buying Arshavin that pushes Nasri, a big money signing out wide, which negates a lot of his qualities. If Cesc stays on then it would be assumed that both players would have to start. For this to occur Wenger would have to switch to a 433 formation which would mean that an out and out winger is then needed. Surely purchasing Arshaven only poses more (what journalists like to call) 'good problems' but good problems are not necessarily very good for the players. It is rare that Wenger spends big money but in this instance it could be spent much wiser on where the squad is much more thin, like in the mentioned defensive positions.

[Malaysiangunner]

Hi all

If Arshavin is quality and I believe he is world class then any addition is good for the Arsenal. The squad is thin on experience and with Rosicky/Hleb gone additional creativity can only help. Lower quality oppositions the likes of Bolton last week end prove the need for a creative midfielder to unlock. All these type of teams are parking the proverbial bus infront of the goal and hope to get us on the break.
Arshavin is definitely welcome addition.

[Paul]

Yeah Arsenal need to bolster there defensive options inc midfield and keeper. But i you just lost fabregas for most of the season he will need replacing.

what the problem with buying a quality player?

[Dan769]

Why do so many people on here assume that because we need a defensive midfielder we shouldn’t buy an attacking player? Arsenal are about 3 or 4 players short currently and more creativity is as if not more important than a defensive player. Last season when Arsenal were top of the league Hleb, Fabregas and Rosicky were the key players in our attacking style. At the moment Nasri has to fill the boots of all three of them. and although he is improving he strikes me as a player who would blossom with more like minded players around him. A player like Arshavin is an absolute must for Arsenal to try and get there slick attacking game back together.

[Nick]

While Arshavin would be a good addition, I think Arsenal's priorities lie in central defence and midfield.

I think Wigan's Palacio's would be an outstanding signing for Wenger. He has grit defensively and is impressive going forward.

A central defender like Upson might be what Arsenal are missing but I think they would be better served grooming Djorou who will become an excellent defender in my view.

One final note is to refute people who have suggested in the past that Toure's is a natural captain and the best defender Arsenal have. I think he has been on thbe wane for several seasons now, and rater than being a commanding figure, he seems to be becoming more diminutive as the seasons roll on.

[Richie Woodcock]

Whilst Arshavin wouldn't have necessarily been my number 1 target for the transfer window I can definately see Wengers logic on this one and provided we are not held to ransom over the fee and his wages then he is a very good addition indeed.

We desparately need some creative imput into our team right now. Cesc is out for virtually the whole campaign, we lack the cutting edge that Walcott can provide from outwide, Rosicky has been missing for ages and he's a fine creative outlet when fit and we have been reduced to operating with central midfielders on the wings i.e. Denilson, Diaby and Song. Oh and Eboue too. If Arshavin comes in he can provide the experience and guile needed to create chances for our forwards and maybe grab a few goals himself. Arsenal suffer from alot of lateral passing these days which affects our ability to kill off the opposition. Arsenal have never been about nullifying the opposition by a tough tacking midfield and defensive ridgidity as such, it's all about the slick passing that never gives the opposition the chance to dominate possesion. Due to his creative abilities and versatility (he can operate on the flanks, in central midfield, in the hole, two-footed as well!) the russian again could be the answer.

I personally would love another defender and another central midfielder at the club too, it's no secret that we have been a bit naive in these areas. But the balance in defence is getting better, Djourou is taking his chance well, Gallas looks better beside him and Toure (who has been badly affected by his maleria infection in my opinion) is still a class act who will improve on his current form. And Wenger won't do all his shopping in January, he'll have targets he wants in the summer. Right now we can get this guy who we could do with, and hopefully for a reasonable package too. Seems a good move to me.

[jim]

Peope continually talk about how we need some "big, tall, tough" centre backs and a "world class keeper". These same people seem to forget that we were top of the league this time last year with Gallas, Toure and Almunia and that our possesian football demands a high line which means likes of Upson would be too slow to fit in (unless your suggesting completely changing our style of play). We didn't start dropping points last season because of Gallas, Toure and Almuniu, we started dropping them because we lost Robin Van Persie, Eduardo, Rosicky and Diaby, all attacking players. That would imply to me that we could do with strengthening in attacking areas to cover for the inevitable injuries that have hit again, though I'll admit that after losing Flamini, Gilberto and Diarra in the last year another combative CM is a nesccesity considering Song and Denilson clearly aren't ready. With all that in mind though I'd have to say that Arteta is the man though, considering he can play anywhere in midfield from the back to the wings, he would be the ultimate utility man to fill the constant midfield gaps.

[Nicolas Barrow]

No we do not need Arshavin. It’s a panic buy. Arshavin would take 6 to 12 months to settle in. Russian players are notorious slow in adapting to the Premiership. What Arsenal need is Miguel Veloso of Sporting CP. One of the best young defensive midfield players in the World. This would represent a typical Wenger purchase NOT Arshavin who seems to be on the wrong side of 26 and over priced.