WTTGT Writer: Jak Penny
With a summer clear out at the Emirates beckoning, one star is certain of his future ahead of the 2011/12 season.
Andrei Arshavin has claimed that he won’t be shown the door this season with manager Arsène Wenger keen to retain his services.
Arsenal’s lone Russian slipped seamlessly into the Gunners’ side upon his arrival in January 2009, but since then his performances have become annoyingly inconsistent.
His lightning quick turn of pace and eye for goal convinced Wenger to splash out £16m on him during the transfer window and it paid instant dividends.
His 6 goals and 9 assists in only 15 games saw him adapt to the Premier League with ease. Who can forget the unbelievable four-goal display against Liverpool?
But in the last two seasons Arshavin has only shown glimpses of his undoubted ability.
He’s a modern day Jekyll and Hyde. A winger capable of turning anything into something spectacular or, on the flip side, doing nothing at all for 90 minutes.
But the question does remain, should Wenger keep him at the Emirates next season?
The answer on everyone’s lips and the Frenchman’s should be yes!
Despite being in his 30s (although the child-like face doesn’t show it), Arshavin is still a vital part of Arsenal’s play.
Some fans argue he is lazy but in the two and a half years since he joined, he’s scored 28 goals and assisted 33 in 106 appearances.
It’s a fantastic return despite reservations over his work rate and attitude during games.
The thing about the Russian is he’s an impact player. When the ball is at his feet his dribbling style and frightening turn of pace is similar to Messi’s
His experience and ability to change a game points towards the Russian staying on at the Emirates for at least another season.
However, age might be his downfall as we all know about Wenger’s dislike for players over 30.
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