You’re all idiots. Even you, Mum.
I’m going to cut straight to the point today and say that I think I’ve fallen in love with Andrey Arshavin – and this time it’s no April Fools’ joke.
I mean, I thought he was cool after dominating Euro 2008 with some scintillating displays but since he joined Arsenal things have been taken to a whole new level. He’s shown his creativity and class, a willingness to take on players and shoot on sight but above all, Arshavin is proving himself to be quite the hard nut. And what true football fan doesn’t love a hard nut?
He might not play in a typical ‘hard man’ position on the wing, but in his short time at Arsenal the Russian has proven himself to be the polar opposite of Cristiano Ronaldo with his tendency to stay on his feet, jump up after being felled and displaying a sense of fierce determination that many players simply lack. Add to that the fact that he managed to play a whole game with ten stitches in his foot and then backed up a few days later because he absolutely wanted to play gives an indication of what sort of a guy he is.
It gets better too. After Russia’s recent 2-0 win over Azerbaijan, Russian manager Guus Hiddink accused his opponents of deliberately targeting Arshavin’s stitched-up foot. Our new signing’s response:
“Early in the game I was hit right on the injured spot and went thought a pain-shock. But now I feel much better. The fans need not worry. If I come on to the pitch it means I’m fully prepared to play.”
What a guy. I think I promised Robert Pires that he could have my future daughter some time back but I’m changing that to Arshavin. And to think that people thought he wasn’t going to be tough enough for the English Premiership.
Moving on to slightly more serious matters and Abou Diaby has joined Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner on the International Break casualty table after damaging his hip while training with France. Although it is not thought to be a serious injury, Diaby will miss his country’s game against Lithuania and may be unavailable for the clash with Manchester City on the weekend.
With Cesc Fabregas returning to the squad Diaby may not have been called upon anyway, but is a frustrating blow to lose a player who I believe was hitting some very decent form of late. Hopefully it doesn’t keep him out for too long.
And that’s really it for today. I hope people didn’t take my April Fools’ prank too seriously and I’m not hit with a barrage of hate mail as a result. Anyway, I’m off to enjoy some drinks for my girlfriend’s birthday and hopefully find some time to sneak off and watch Australia beat Uzbekistan to edge ridiculously close to a place in the World Cup. Toodles.
Have your say on April Fools’ Day, Arshavin the hard nut or Australia’s World Cup qualification by leaving a comment.
SF, you’re lucky i heard the pranks on Triple M and B105 this morning and knew what your headline was all about. I agree with everything you have said about AA. He’s a fantastic player and will prove a great buy from AW.
Will Cesc play from the start or get brought on as a sub?
You’re foolish, fooling fiasco did fool me to a final phase of infinity.
Whatever that means.
Haha, good one SF.
Arshavin is brilliant, wish we could find more players like him. Our young lads look up to him and he leads by example which is why our performances have improved since his introduction. He is an Arsenal legend in the making and i think he will play a major role in the development of players like Wilshere and Ramsey. Hopefully we’ll finally get the chance to see him link up with Cesc, Ade and Eduardo on Saturday. I cant wait.
the impact Arshavin had on our team this season is just amazing. Cant wait for next season to come and we be dominating all 4 fronts!
We need that tiny (no pun intended) spark and with Arshavin, its gonna be a great season. H*ll im even gonna buy that ridiculous Liverpool-clone green away jersey if it has Arshavin’s name on it.
@guyfrmars: What green away jersey are you talking about?
As far as I know, our new away jersey wont be shown to the public until Friday?
well said, arshavin’s body might be smaller than ronaldo but he got much bigger d**k than ronaldo. haha. i just saw in goal.com that arsenal signed giovinco from juve. might be the end for rosicky? or wenger just prepare to move nasri to center midfield in case fabregas move away this summer.
Wat a timely buy for arsenal. Andrei is indeed an exemplary player. Wish arsenal the best in their pursuit 4 cups dis season. Shalom!
Arshavin is pure quality. I wanted him got him and can say I’ve even been pleasantly surprised.
I hope Ade comes back to form against City after putting one in for Togo for a huge win against Cameroon.
aa is a very good buy.i wish we get a trophy this season as it’s gonna serve as a string board for next season challenge
well,with injuries to v Perise, Diaby and Bendtner, looks like the starting XI will be Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Arshavin, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri, Eduardo, Adebayor
@ censored
Id go for
Al
Sagna,Willy,Toure,Clichy
Theo,Cesc,Nasri,Arshavin
Eduardo,Ade
But Cesc has been out for a long time so i dont think he will start. Maybe Denilson will start instead.
Re GOon3r,that Giovinco gist was just an April Fools stuff…don`t believe the hype lol!!
I hate the guy call Diaby he played like a crip…sony is better in 10…plz caution diaby about his intersection pass
They said that Diaby was the next Viera lol, anw i think has more to offer as he is getting better and better. This is evident from his superb goal against Newcastle a fortnight ago
“persie” @ 11.46. WTF
dont think he wil start wit cesc i think it il be al
sanga toure WG clichy
theo denlison song nasri
edardo andri
Andre: You complete me.
Hey Mr Fry!
As an Arsenal fan i am very proud with the way AA has proved his mettle on the pitch. I just wish we could win a silverware before the end of this season
I think:
Almunia
Sagna.Toure.Gallas.Clichy
Arshavin.Deni.Song.Nasri
Fabregas
Dudu
Aw may use Ade upfront with Eduardo or may even use Arsh upfront. he could start Cesc, kight not, interesting choice we have even with the injuries.
Wenger was warning us that exciting times are ahead of us before, didn’t he? How prophetic. The change of mood on this blog is astonishing! SF can you please also post some comment on ArsenalAmerica blog? We need to bring them back to earth. Or they should change it to ‘We hate Wenger” blog.
Australia 2-0. you must be happy. Good old Kewell and Kennedy eh? lol
Glad to see Eduardo getting on the score sheet for Croatia. But we have another victim of the interlull, aparantly, Nasri pulled out of the Frence squad b/c of a virus. I hope its just a minor stomach bug or something like that.
Wow Eduardo Scored for Croatia. Lets hope he will score against City..
Hey SF –
Glad to see the socceroos come away with a strong win.
Arshavin rocks my socks.
I’d love to see Eduardo & Vela against City this weekend. I think they’ve got a good connection between them. But more than that, I’d like to see a win. Come on Arsenal!
–Adrienne in Seattle
Go Australia! It’s awesome that we’re likely going to be the first team to qualify for the World Cup when we were the very last team to qualify four years ago.
A very happy Aussie Gooner indeed!
Hey spanish what country are you
@ Gunnersmith – “Go Australia! It’s awesome that we’re likely going to be the first team to qualify for the World Cup when we were the very last team to qualify four years ago.
A very happy Aussie Gooner indeed!”
Surely that answers your question?!
arsenal can be a champion if the player are avoid from any injuries…
arshavin can give a new hope for arsenal…believe it