2010/11 Player Review: Andrey Arshavin
Andrey Arshavin will be the first to admit that he wasn’t at his sparkling best in 2010/11. But that’s not to say we didn’t seen glimpses of the diminutive Russian’s undoubted pedigree.
Who can forget his goal against Barcelona on that famous night at Emirates Stadium? How about the measured volley that was the catalyst for Arsenal’s fightback against Everton? Or his goal that emphatically killed off Tottenham in the Carling Cup?
While conceding that the forward at times struggled for form, Arsène Wenger was the first to defend Andrey who, pointing out that he “can always deliver something special”.
After starting the campaign well with five goals in nine appearances, Andrey suffered a mid-season dip and lost his first-team place at the turn of the year. But he still went on to rack up over 50 appearances and weighed in with ten goals from the left of Arsenal’s front three.
After a difficult winter, Andrey was back to his brilliant best in February with a crucial strike against Everton. Then against Barcelona in the Champions League he produced, as he described it, a “career-defining moment”.
If he can recapture that type of form next season, Andrey will no doubt be key to Arsenal’s challenge for honours.
SOUNDBITE
"To score against Barcelona for any player is a very crucial moment, maybe in your career. It doesn't happen a lot, especially [because] it brought a win.”
FINEST MOMENT
Never one to shy away on the big stage, Andrey curled home
Samir Nasri's cut-back with seven minutes remaining to give Arsenal a 2-1 victory over Barcelona and spark pandemonium inside Emirates Stadium. That strike, and the celebration that followed, will live long in the memory.
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