Wenger doesn’t talk Arshavin up enough.
I’ve said that on ANR since March.
On Saturday, April 18, he left Arshavin out of his team for the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley and Arsenal lost 2-1.
On the following Tuesday night an Anfield, he started the Russian, who scored four goals.
That electrifying performance was one I’ve never seen surpassed by any Arsenal player, even Bergkamp. His dopey teammates weren’t good enough to win the game but the Russian’s pace and skill, and the quality of those four goals, were astonishing. If Thierry Henry had scored those four goals, Wenger would be still be talking about them every week.
On Friday, Wenger said that Arshavin can succeed Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest entertainer in English football.
Wenger told David Woods and other reporters: “Of course, the Premier League needs a star like Arshavin now that Ronaldo has gone. I love Arshavin’s attitude and behaviour. He is not only a great player but he has an honest, refreshing attitude. When there’s no penalty, he never complains, he’s not a drama queen. He plays real football, all that we love in football.
“He goes for it, he’s not scared, doesn’t want to cheat. Everyone loves him because of that. It’s fantastic for the Premier League. Four or five years ago, the likes of Messi or Kaka would have come to England. So it is important that we have great players like Arshavin. He’s in that bracket.”
We all know that, Arsene.
I was telling you that when I wrote Arshavin was better than Cristiano last night.
Indeed, as long ago as 21/06/2008, I wrote Why Arshavin is the best player in Euro 2008.