mash wrote:i was the same as baba, didnt want him initally, my god hav i been proven wrong! arsh has performed BEYOND expectation n pretty much made up his transfer value n doubled it with his performance at pool...the guy is absolute class! him n cesc are in a league of their own in this team...

mash wrote:got barclays player of the month, in only his 3rd full month here. enough said.

All the Arsenal fans know that the Russian midfielder Andrei Arshavin has been underperforming this season, but he has admitted it himself today.

He has suffered from numerous injuries this season, and has often complained about being played out of position when both Van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner were out injured.

“I think England has not seen the best Arshavin,” he said.

“For me I was at my best at 2005.

“On a scale of zero to 10, I have been at a maximum seven. To be at my best I need, first of all, to be fit all season.

“I must be quicker and more focused and concentrated in some parts of the game.

“This season I had to play up front. It is not good for me, but I do not complain because there was nobody except me.

“For me it is better I play behind the striker or a little bit deeper.”

“What can you do if each year you have a lot of injuries?” he said. “I think it has been the biggest problem.

“Last year was the same and the year before, too.

“If we had all our players fit, we would have had a much better chance of winning a trophy, but every time we have had two or three players out.”

Hopefully next season Arsenal will be able to start with a fully fit squad, excepting Aaron Ramsey who will be out until the autumn. And I sincerely hope that Arshavin has a good rest and comes back to his best as soon as possible.

At least he won’t be playing any international matches this summer!