Arshavin stats would shock his critics

[Inchpräctice]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... s-critics-

‘Arshavin statistics would shock his critics’

By Chris Harris

Arsène Wenger has urged Andrey Arshavin’s critics to take a close look at the statistics before they condemn his recent form.

The Russian playmaker has not been at his dazzling best so far this season and was left on the bench until the latter stages of Arsenal’s midweek win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

But Wenger still believes in Arshavin and the numbers bear him out. The 29-year-old has netted five times this season – just one fewer than joint top-scorers at the Club Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh. And no one in the Arsenal squad matches Arshavin for Premier League assists.

“If you look at the stats, he is the player who has created more chances than everybody else in the Premier League this season,” said Wenger.

“So his numbers are quite surprising to people who think he has not done so well.”

Arshavin’s class is obvious and his experience is valuable too. The Russian turns 30 in May and his manager hopes he will remain at Emirates Stadium for years to come – even though he refused to shed any light on a potential new deal.

“I think he has a long future at the Club - as long as his contract lasts at least, or until we extend his contract, and that is for I think 18 months,” said Wenger.

“But we do not come out with our contract situations because that is an endless story. We are always in negotiations now because when you sign a player for four years, after two years you have to renegotiate so we keep it as quiet as possible.”

[StLGooner]

I wonder what his stats are for how many times he's killed our attack with careless lazy passes, or how many times our defense has been caught out cause he's too lazy to come back and defend?

[CynicalGooner]

I agree with Wenger on this and I remember Cesc saying something similar a few weeks ago. He's not at his best at the moment but his goals, assists and chances created stats do not lie.

As far as him being lazy in defence, I don't want him anywhere near our penalty box. He is more hindrance than help there

[Inchpräctice]

We can only assume that the reason he starts nearly every game is because his goals and assists stats are so good.
If they weren't I for one would never forgive him for laziness and sloppy passing.
If he was playing poorly and didn't have these stats he'd be benched.

[golfinguy]

I'm still not sold on the stats - put Rosicky in that position and the numbers may be higher. Arshavin has been lazy and aloof. He does have the ability to pull a goal out of nothing, but hasn't showed it yet this year.

[StLGooner]

Yea I'd like to see what Rosicky could do if given a good run of games in his position.

[Inchpräctice]

Yea I'd like to see what Rosicky could do if given a good run of games in his position.

Me too, or failing that, JET.

[Popey]

but rosicky isn't the same type of player. if theo plays why not playing rosicky in front of arshavin but we need to have a player who can make runs on the wing like arshavin or theo.

[Inchpräctice]

but rosicky isn't the same type of player. if theo plays why not playing rosicky in front of arshavin but we need to have a player who can make runs on the wing like arshavin or theo.

Arshavin doesn't really 'run' along the wing does he?
Doesn't really run anywhere for that matter.
He can't dribble with his left foot so he always cuts inside anyway, just as Rosicky would.
The only proper left winger we have is Traore and he's on loan.

[StLGooner]

but rosicky isn't the same type of player. if theo plays why not playing rosicky in front of arshavin but we need to have a player who can make runs on the wing like arshavin or theo.

You're right, Rosicky isn't the same type of player, his passes actually go to his own team.

[Est83]

I just checked wikipedia and Wenger's right... Arshavin's stats are baffling! It says that he's 5'7 1/2"

I don't believe it!

[Briggsy]

Arshavin is like a Clive Allen sort of player in that he doesnt do much but when he does it ends up in goals

[GunnGunn]

Doesn't Arshavin have an almost 1 in 2 strike rate for us for the wing? And a ton of assists?

I don't like Arshavin but Rosicky on his best day is not going to give us more goals than Arshavin, and i doubt more assists either.

Arshavin doesn't do much but when he does it, you know it.

[Leody]

OMG!!!!!!

I just realized that Starman is WENGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Goose]

Arshavin isnt going to run up and down the wing attacking and defending, but give him some space on the left and he will cut in and score a goal or get an assist

He doesnt like to cross much either, he prefers to go for goal himself

Rosicky on the other hand, prefers to cross and with a player like Chamakh on the pitch, that can be an asset as well