Join Now  | 
Home About Contact Us Privacy & Security Advertise
Soccer America Daily Special Edition Around The Net Soccer Business Insider College Soccer Reporter Youth Soccer Reporter Soccer on TV Soccer America Classifieds
Paul Gardner: SoccerTalk Soccer America Confidential Youth Soccer Insider World Cup Watch
RSS Feeds Archives Manage Subscriptions Subscribe
Order Current Issue Subscribe Manage My Subscription Renew My Subscription Gift Subscription
My Account Join Now
Tournament Calendar Camps & Academies Soccer Glossary Classifieds
Adapted Arshavin Dominant, 'Dictating Play' for Arsenal
FIFA.com, March 25th, 2009 4:15PM
Subscribe to Section 2 Around the Net


MOST READ


Although it admittedly took him a little while to settle in with the pace and physicality of the English game, especially after not playing in a league match since November with former team and 2008 UEFA Cup champs Zenit St. Petersburg, Arsenal's expensive transfer toy Andrei Arshavin is producing instant dividends upon earning a starting role with the Gunners.

"He has completely adapted now. He's not just scoring, he's dictating the play too," said Russia coach Guus Hiddink, who has been keeping a watchful eye over the rosy-cheeked striker while at Chelsea and called him in for this weekend's World Cup qualifier. Arshavin's immediate impact has surprised his own coach even more, with Arsene Wenger admitting, "I've always said that you should never expect anything of a January signing until the following season, but Andrei has shown me that I was wrong."

The minds on the sidelines aren't the only fans, as teammates have heaped praise on the diminutive midseason pickup, saying "He knows exactly what he wants" [Gael Clichy], "Every time he goes out on the pitch he performs" [Bacary Sagna], and "He's made all the difference since he came here. You can see right away that he's a special player" [Cesc Fabregas].

 

Read the original story...


No comments yet.

Sign in to leave a comment. Don't have an account? Join Now


AUTHORS

ARCHIVES
FOLLOW SOCCERAMERICA

Recent Section 2 Around the Net
Report: Pulis Resigns as Stoke Manager    
Tony Pulis has resigned as Stoke City coach, according to reports in England. The 55-year-old Welshman ...
Ferguson Wins Fourth LMA Manager of the Year Award    
Alex Ferguson on Monday received his fourth League Managers' Association award for manager of the year. ...
Brighton Suspends Coach Following Excrement Incident    
Brighton coach Gus Poyet, assistant Mauricio Taricco and first-team coach Charlie Oatway were suspended on Monday ...
Report: Atletico Expects Falcao to Leave    
Over the past few weeks, Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao has been linked with moves to ...
Spain Says Adios to Mourinho    
Following the news on Monday that Jose Mourinho's three-year reign as Real Madrid coach will end ...
Report: Barca Ponders Vilanova Backup Plan    
In his first press conference after returning from cancer treatment in the United States, Barcelona coach ...
Reports: Mourinho Future to be Decided This Week    
Reports in Spain suggest that Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho's future could be decided this week, ...
Fiorentina Angry as Milan Edges UCL Berth     
There was high-drama in Italy on Sunday as the Serie A season came to a close. ...
Beckham's Emotional Farewell     
In a weekend of emotional farewells, David Beckham was perhaps the most emotional. As he was ...
Steve Clarke Interprets Fergie's Final Words     
Following his last game in charge of Manchester United, which finished by the astonishing score line ...
>> Section 2 Around the Net Archives