One of the most frustrating aspects of last season was Andrey Arshavin’s lack of involvement in the Champions League. Despite signing for Arsenal in January, the Russian was unable to take part in European games because of his involvement for Zenit St. Petersburg in the group stages of the Champions League.
This season though, Arshavin is available to help Arsenal’s European bid and Arsene Wenger believes this could be crucial to the team’s chances of success and just what they need to upset the odds. The Gunners boss says that the 28-year-old can ‘make the difference’ for Arsenal in Europe.
As we all know, Arshavin has been very impressive since joining the club with many predicting that the current campaign will be a hugely successful one for the former Zenit man. Can this conclude with Arshavin lifting the Champions League trophy though?
Well, much could be decided after tonight’s game with Celtic. Arshavin is set to start for Arsenal at Celtic Park in the first-leg of the Champions League qualifier, a game where many expect his quality to shine through.
Wenger himself admits that Arshavin ‘can turn up at any moment’ and make something significant happen. In fact, he could end up being one of the main differences between Arsenal and Celtic. The Scottish club don’t have anyone with Arshavin’s quality and Wenger knows it.
It seems as though Celtic manager Tony Mowbray knows it as well. The Bhoys boss describes Arshavin as a ‘typical Arsenal footballer’ who is ‘very gifted, bright and intelligent’. Mowbray went on to admit that he ‘sat in awe’ of the Russian while watching his four goals at Anfield last season.
Arsenal are by no means a one man team though and Wenger was keen to point this out. He finished by saying that the target is to ‘develop the team play and not focus too much on individuals’.
Regardless of this though, considering the views on both managers, it seems as though all eyes will be on Arshavin this evening as Arsenal head to Celtic Park.
ArseSpeak 
Is it me or does arshavin make the team ‘tick’ when he is not playin his best, almost as bergkamp did.
arsh is maybe like bergkamp in his close control and vision – bergkamp had an ability to seemingly hypnotize four of five defenders before picking out a teammate with an inch perfect pass or knocking the ball in the net himself – arshavin seems to have some of that same knack as he showed against everton for eduardo’s goal.
Let’s not get too carried away though. Before Eduardo’s goal, which was the result of Dudu’s brilliance not AA’s, Arshavin was non-existant against Everton. I hope Eduardo will start at Parkhead. He is our sharpest goal scorer by a mile now that Ade has gone to City. He MAY be able to mtch the big mans goal every two games scoring rate.
I dont know if anyone esle picked up on this or its jus me being a bit wierd but i noticed that during most if not all goal celebrtions Arshavin didnt lok like he was enjoying them that much he jus looked like he was standing with teammates to make up the numbers….only time i saw him crack a smile was when he failed to lob Howard in one of the last attacks at Goodison Park
Casicky I noticed that too , I think it was cause he wasn’t involved in the plays as much as he wanted to. The only other time I saw him smile was when he helped set up the 4th goal when he got the ball off neville and made the pass to denilson.
i saw it too but i also think that he didnt use his ability and stamina at 100% because he wanted to save it for tonights game which will be his arsenal champions league debut lets just hope he can score in it like vermalen did in his premier league debut aswell. Im going for an arsenal win 2-1 or a draw 1-1, either way i’ll be happy,
!!!COME ON YOU GOONERS!!!