I remember the January transfer deadline of 2009 well. Heavy snow had landed me a day off school and the transfer window an extension. It lasted until a couple of days into February, and I was on tenterhooks, for Arsenal were working on that most unusual of things-a marquee signing.
The star of Euro 2008 and much-in-demand playmaker Andrei Arshavin, was headed to Arsenal. I remember watching him be unveiled, and complaining about his shirt number. 23 was too high, Gallas should give up the number 10 shirt, I remember opining.
Halycon days
For the next year or so, he could do no wrong. His first goal against Blackburn, the angular passes that nobody else would see coming, not even Cesc Fabregas, the verve he brought to Arsenal’s at times stagnant football that season were a breath of fresh air. With Arshavin in the team, things were looking up.
Four goals arrived at Anfield, each better than the last, and people were talking-is this Arsenal’s greatest ever signing? Patience, we were told-time would tell on that count.
He fired us to 4th that season, and surely would kick on to even greater effect next year.
And he did. I saw him live for the first time in 09/10, full of invention and burning pace. I’d forgotten how fast he could be when he could be arsed, and his goal to make it safe against Birmingham just compounded my admiration.
Then I didn’t pay as much attention to Arsenal for some reason-it wasn’t until later in the year that I watched a full game, and he seemed somewhat changed. The goals weren’t as spectacular, the work wasn’t as hard. I asked what had happened. “Should never have gone up front”, I was told. The six weeks as a false nine, being kicked up and down the country didn’t do him any good. But his decline was self-inflicted.
Interest
Andrei Arshavin simply stopped caring about football. He provided some brilliant moments in his next season-the winner against Barcelona most notably; and his talent was still evident. He just stopped using it as often, when it was needed.
By now fans had no patience for players who weren’t committed-five years without a trophy do that to you. There were calls for him to be dropped, sold even, and you could tell he could feel the change in mood. The great Russian hope no longer, just an average member of the squad.
We all know what followed- the affairs, the distinctive paunch, the loan to Zenit, and finally, his quiet release confirmed today by Arsenal. He made only cameo appearances this season, showing a glimpse of what was in the League Cup, largely against sides as bothered about the game as he was, and a single, sad appearance against Chelsea, where he skulked along the touchline for 15 minutes to no effect, being as unimpressed about coming on as fans were about his introduction.
Arshavin will be remembered as a waster, somebody who lost his spark and who’s exit was welcomed. Sadly, his 80k per week wages are the only thing people really care about nowadays. But the excitement he brought, as a statement of intent from Arsenal was something we’ve experienced little of lately, and I for one will always appreciate the 18 months of joy he gave to me.
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