What I Remember from Andrey Arshavin, Former Arsenal Man

(source: 90min)

Arsenal once had a great player I can remember until now. He is Andrey Arshavin. Russian born player of May 29, 1981 was defending the Gunners for four seasons. He then returns to Zenit St. Petersburg, the club he defended before leaving for England.

After that, I rarely see Arshavin action again. As I found out later, he decided to retire from the Russian national team in 2012. I read from Wikipedia, Arshavin is now playing in the Kazakh Premiership alongside Kairat FC.

The moment I remembered from Arshavin when he scored four goals on 21 April 2009. At that time, Arsenal travel to Anfield, Liverpool headquarters. The score ended in a 4-4 draw.

At that time, Arsenal squad is still inhabited players like Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, Samir Nasri, and others. While Liverpool squad inhabited among others by Alonso, Mascherano, Torres.

Arshavin who wears the back number 23 plays on the right wing. He scored the first goal with his left foot in the 36th minute after receiving Fabregas's bait. Shortly thereafter, Liverpool responded with a header from Fernando Torres in the 49th minute. After that added with goals Yossi Benayoun in 56 minutes.

However, Arshavin then made a difference. In the 67th minute he grabbed the ball aggressively from Arbeloa and hit Reina's target. Arshavin's movement so fast can not be blocked by the Liverpool defender. His right foot shot made the ball so fast sliding into the goal. It was amazed to see that.

Then, three minutes later, Arshavin again made a different atmosphere. He scored again after capitalizing on Liverpool's back line error. This time he grabbed a wild ball inside the penalty box.

However, Torres was once again a scourge. In 72 minutes he replied to the goal.

When the game approached injury time, Arsenal launched a counter attack. And Arshavin again showed his class. He scored on the left foot while running. I see, both legs Arshavin works well when scored. As if he did not rely on one foot as the strongest.

Although then Liverpool replied again through Yossi Benayoun in the 90th minute + 3 minutes, I see Arshavin very worthy of appreciation as a "man of the match" in the game. In fact, at the time I saw without Arsenal's presence would be the month of Liverpool at Anfield. The existence of Arshavin, he became a differentiator.

Andrey Arshavin stats in Arsenal | (source: Premier League)

I miss seeing the way he plays now. Although now can not follow it anymore. The problem is, television in my country, Indonesia, never broadcast Kazakhstan Primary League. I want to see, is Arshavin still as cool as ever at Arsenal? Maybe this is just wishful thinking, because he was 36 years old. Of course, in terms of performance has dropped dramatically. Anyway, I'm still impressed with this Russian player.

Best regards from Indonesia, @dasheng