Andrey started the season at Arsenal, returned to Zenit St Petersburg for a successful loan spell and then lit up Euro 2012 with some superb displays.
The diminutive forward played a key role in helping to kick-start the Gunners’ season in September after a difficult opening had left them in the bottom half of the table. In desperate need of a morale-boosting win against Swansea, Arshavin scored the only goal of the game when he took advantage of a Michel Vorm error to secure a vital three points.
Andrey Arshavin Profile |
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| Born |
May 29, 1981
Saint Petersburg, Russia |
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| Position: |
Midfielder |
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| Squad Number: |
23 |
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| Previous Club(s) |
Zenit St Petersburg (loan), Zenit St Petersburg, Zenit-2 |
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| Arsenal Debut |
February 21, 2009 |
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But that was far from his only important contribution in Arsenal colours before his February departure to Russia. As one of the elder statesmen featuring in the Carling Cup fourth-round tie against Bolton in October, an inspirational Andrey sent the Gunners on their way to victory by firing home the opening goal and then setting up the winner for Ju Young Park.
Then, in his final match for the Club before his move to Zenit, Andrey reminded everyone of his enduring class with a superb cross to set up Thierry Henry’s last-gasp winner at Sunderland.
Andrey joined Arsenal in February 2009 from hometown club Zenit, and just weeks later made history by scoring all four goals in a memorable 4-4 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
Captain of his national side, Andrey has regularly stood out at major tournaments, not least during Euro 2008 when his inspired performances helped Russia to the semi-finals.
A huge hit on the domestic front in Russia, Andrey has twice won the Premier League crown in both 2006/07 and 2011/2012, together with the UEFA Cup in 2008. He was named Russian Footballer of the Year in 2006.
Andrey Arshavin's Arsenal Career
|
| |
Prem Lge |
Europe |
FA Cup |
Lge Cup |
Total |
| Season |
Apps |
Goals |
Apps |
Goals |
Apps |
Goals |
Apps |
Goals |
Apps |
Goals |
| 2008-2009 |
12 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
2 + 1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 + 1 |
6 |
| 2009-2010 |
25 + 5 |
10 |
7 + 1 |
2 |
0 + 1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
32 + 7 |
12 |
| 2010-2011 |
25 + 12 |
6 |
3 + 3 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
3 + 1 |
1 |
36 + 16 |
10 |
| 2011-2012 |
8 + 11 |
1 |
3 + 2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 + 1 |
1 |
13 + 14 |
2 |
| 2012-2013 |
0 + 7 |
0 |
0 + 2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
2 + 9 |
1 |
| Total |
70 + 35 |
23 |
13 + 8 |
5 |
8 + 2 |
0 |
6 + 2 |
3 |
97 + 47 |
31 |
My Year
- 2012/13
- 2011/12
- 2010/11
- 2009/10
- 2008/09
August
Andrey made one appearance, playing 13 minutes as a second-half substitute in Arsenal's goalless draw against Sunderland at Emirates Stadium. September
Andrey started once in September, impressing against Coventry in the Capital One Cup. Arshavin scored one and set up two, earning praise from Arsene Wenger, who said: "He will get his chance, and he showed here that he deserves it." October
Andrey made numerous appearances throughout October - playing a major role in Mikel Arteta’s winner against QPR, and producing a typically creative diaply in the Capital One Cup win over Reading. November
Andrey appeared three times in November, with all of his action coming via the substitutes bench. December
Andrey made one appearance in December, coming on as a half-time substitute in the Champions League defeat against Olympiacos. January
Andrey made just one appearance in January, coming on as a second-half substitute in the defeat away at Chelsea. February
Andrey was not named in the Arsenal squad in February. March
Andrey did not feature in March.
August
Andrey started Arsenal’s opening three Premier League games of the season. The Russian was also a late substitute at Udinese in the Champions League. September
Andrey's month got off to a flier with the winning goal against Swansea and he featured once more in victories over Bolton and Olympiacos. “I think he’s had a good start to the season,” said Arsene Wenger. “I think what he needs more is confidence. He had a difficult end of season last year and I believe for a few weeks now, he has been in very good form.” October
Andrey produced a fine display against Bolton in the Carling Cup, scoring one and setting up the other to send the team through to the Quarter-Finals. There were also appearances against Sunderland and Stoke in the Premier League, as well as a start in Arsenal's crucial away victory in Marseille. “You look at his assists and goals scored and he is always among the best,” Arsene Wenger said. “He can come on and have an impact, he can start and have an impact - Andrey is an impact player.” November
Andrey featured prominently from the substitutes bench, playing his part in matches against Marseille and West Brom. The Russian claimed a Premier League start in the 1-1 draw with Fulham. December
Andrey featured regularly as a substitute for the team but enjoyed his biggest impact as a starter, providing the pass for Robin van Persie's winner against QPR at the end of the month. January
Andrey started twice, helping the side progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a solid display against Leeds. There was also a place in the starting XI against Swansea, together with a substitute's appearance against Manchester United. "I don't think we play differently at home, we just try to play in our own style," he said. "Of course at the Emirates you feel the supporters more and teams are more frightened and scared. I think it's easier to play at home." February
Andrey supplied the assist for Thierry Henry's winning goal against Sunderland in the only game he played for the Club in February. On February 24, Andrey returned to former club Zenit St Petersburg on loan for the rest of the season. March
Andrey featured four times for Zenit in the Russian Premier League. April
Andrey enjoyed a goalscoring month on loan at Zenit, finding the net in consecutive matches against CSKA Moscow and Kuban Krasnodar respectively. The attacking midfielder made four appearances in the Russian Premier League. May
Andrey helped Zenit St. Petersburg to the Russian Premier League title. The midfielder scored in a 2-2 draw against Rubin Kazan.
August
Andrey was ever-present for Arsenal in August and netted two goals as the Gunners made an unbeaten start to the new Premier League season. After scoring from the penalty spot against Blackpool the Russian bagged the winner against Blackburn at Ewood Park. September
Andrey scored three goals for Arsenal as he played an important role just behind forward Marouane Chamakh in the Arsenal attack. The Russian scored goals against Braga, Tottenham and Partizan Belgrade though he did miss a penalty after his goal in Belgrade. On the international scene the Russian captain was unable to prevent his country losing 1-0 to Slovakia though he laid on the first goal for Pavel Pogrebnyak as they beat Andorra 2-0. October
Andrey started all four of Arsenal’s Premier League games in November as the Gunners stated their title intentions with a hugely successful month. Although the Russian playmaker was not at his dazzling best he was defended by his manager. “If you look at the stats, he is the player who has created more chances than everybody else in the Premier League this season,” said Arsene Wenger. November
Andrey continued to play an important role on the domestic and European fronts during November. He started consecutive games as the Gunners recorded back-to-back away wins at Wolves and Everton. He ended the month in fine style when he was instrumental in the 4-2 win against Aston Villa. The Russian scored Arsenal’s first when he fired home from just inside the area and set up Samir Nasri to volley home the Gunners’ second. December
Andrey continued to be a virtual ever-present during December as he started four of the Gunners’ five games. The Russian produced a Man of the Match performance in the final game of 2010 against Wigan as he scored one and set up another during the 2-2 draw. Andrey acrobatically volleyed home to draw his side level and then set up Nicklas Bendtner who put Arsenal 2-1 up. January
Andrey admitted he had been below-par in recent times - but showed glimpses of his best when he conjured up assists for Laurent Koscielny and Cesc Fabregas in the Carling Cup Semi-Final against Ipswich. The Russian featured in every one of Arsenal’s nine games in January, making five starts as his form began to pick up. February
Andrey was close to his brilliant best in February after a difficult winter. He came off the bench to guide a measured volley past Tim Howard to peg back Everton at Emirates Stadium before Arsenal went on to record a crucial 2-1 win. Then, against Barcelona in the Champions League, he produced, as he described it, a “career-defining moment”. Never one to shy away from the big stage, the Russian curled home Samir Nasri's cut-back with seven minutes remaining to give Arsenal a victory over the Spanish champions and spark pandemonium inside Emirates Stadium. March
Andrey scored his sixth goal of the season to give Arsenal a lifeline against West Brom when he popped up on the left of the area and rifled a shot into the far corner. He also had a hand in Robin van Persie’s equliser at the Hawthorns. Andrey’s cross bounced back into the area off the upright and the sliding Van Persie got the merest of touches to trickle the ball over the line. April
Andrey featured in all five of Arsenal’s games during April, making two starts and three substitute appearances. The Russian was in fine form against Blackburn as Arsene Wenger’s side struggled to break down a stubborn Rovers defence. May
Andrey made two starts and two substitute appearances in May.
August
Andrey started the new season where he left off in May. The Russian was in superb form and had two goals to show for it. The first was Arsenal's third in the Champions League Play-Off second leg at home to Celtic, and the second was stunning. With five minutes to go until half time at Old Trafford, the match was goalless. But Arshavin wasn't content with being level with Manchester United at the break. Picking up the ball 25 yards out on the left side, Andrey unleashed a thunderous shot into the top corner of Ben Foster's net. September
Andrey aggravated a groin injury while on international duty with Russia, ruling him out until the end of the month. Andrey made his return in the 1-0 win over Fulham and then backheeled home Arsenal's second goal in the 2-0 win against Olympiacos. October
Andrey scored twice for Arsenal in October. He netted the third goal in the 6-2 win over Blackburn and secured the points against Birmingham by scoring the final goal in a 3-1 win. He also bagged Russia's only goal in their final World Cup qualifying game, a 1-1 draw away to Azerbaijan. November
Andrey featured in all five of Arsenal's November fixtures and was instrumental in the 4-1 win at home to AZ Alkmaar in the Champions League, providing assists for three of the Gunners' goals. He scored the fourth goal in the 4-1 win at Wolves but was left disappointed as Russia lost their World Cup qualifying play-off on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate score against Slovenia. December
Andrey played in all six of Arsenal's Premier League fixtures in December, scoring twice and winning a penalty against Hull City. The Russian struck a superb goal from the edge of the area against Liverpool, completing the Gunners' comeback to win 2-1. After the match Arsène Wenger revealed that Arshavin had scored the goal with an injured foot. “I have not met many with his pain threshold," said the manager. January
Andrey started all five of the Gunners' Premier League games in January and was introduced as a substitute in the FA Cup defeat at Stoke City. He scored the final goal of the 4-2 home win over Bolton, a strike which took the Gunners temporarily top of the Premier League. Reflecting on the Russian's first year at Arsenal, manager Arsène Wenger described Arshavin as a big-game player. "In every big game he is influential and creates the chances," said the Frenchman. "When you look at him, he turns up when it is really needed - not at 4-0, but at 0-0. He is always coming up with something special. He is a player whom you always rely on in a big game." February
Andrey missed the end of February after being substituted in the 1-0 win over Liverpool with a hamstring problem. He is expected to return early in March. March
Andrey featured in all six of Arsenal's fixtures in March. He scored twice, striking against Burnley and Hull City to take his season's tally to 11. However, he suffered a calf strain against Barcelona, ruling him out for three weeks. April
Andrey missed out on all of Arsenal's April fixtures due to a calf injury he sustained in the first leg of the Champions League Quarter-Final against Barcelona in March. However, the Russian did make an appearance on the BBC quiz show 'A Question of Sport'. Reflecting on the current season, the midfielder told Arsenal.com that the Gunners must maintain their fighting spirit next term. "We have got a lot of goals at the end of the games, we managed to do some comebacks and we have to use that spirit next season. We can fight again next season," he said. May
Andrey returned from a calf injury as a substitute in the defeat to Blackburn. He scored in Arsenal's final game of the season, a 4-0 win over Fulham.
February
After months of speculation, Andrey finally signed for Arsenal on February 3rd in a dramatic last-minute deal. Because of his ineligibility for the FA Cup clash with Cardiff and the Champions League tie with Roma, the Russian playmaker only played in two games in his debut month at the Club. However, he has already whetted the supporters’ appetites and on Friday, February 20, Andrey was in for some heady praise from his manager. “Yes he is quite small,” said Arsène Wenger. “I think Arshavin is 5ft 6ins. But what is amazing in football is that people are always concerned about size. But if you take the best players in the world you had Maradona who was 5ft 7in and Pele, 5ft 7ins - so it is not a handicap.” March
It didn’t take long for Andrey to make his mark on North London. After sparkling displays against West Brom and Burnley, the Russian opened his goalscoring account against Blackburn, dancing along the byline before lifting an effort into the roof of the net from an impossible angle. After the game, Arsène Wenger revealed that the midfielder had four stitches in his foot at half time. “There was no question about him playing in the second half,” said Wenger. “He is not a soft boy at all. He is never in the medical room, he is not that type. He is tough. He has won things before and he has experience - we are very, very young.” April
Andrey enjoyed yet another incredible month in Arsenal’s red-and-white during April. Of course, the Russian sat out Arsenal’s Champions League ties because of ineligibility but he started in all four of April’s Premier League matches. On April 21, Andrey plundered an incredible four-goal haul at Anfield in the Gunners’ 4-4 draw against Liverpool. In doing so, he became only the 10th Arsenal player to score four or more away from home. May
Andrey started three of May’s five fixtures primarily as a second striker to Robin van Persie. The Russian didn’t manage a goal in the month but did wade in with a couple of assists in Arsenal’s victory over Portsmouth on Saturday, May 2.
