Player Watch: Andrey Arshavin

Name: Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin

D.O.B: 29 May 1981

Nationality: Russian

Club: Arsenal

Position: Midfielder

Honours:

2006 – Russian Footballer of the Year

2007 – Top Assist in the Russian Premier League

2007/2008 – UEFA Cup Top Assist

2008 – Included in the EURO 2008 Team of the Tournament

April 2009 – Premier league Player of the month

March & April 2009 – Arsenal Player of the month

Arshavin began playing football at the tender age of 7, when he was enrolled in the academy of FC Zenit St. Petersburg. He made his way through the youth ranks and debuted for the first team in 2000. In 2007 he helped Zenit St. Petersburg lift the Russian Premier League trophy. He also led the club to EUFA Cup and EUFA Supercup glory. In early 2008 interest from several European giants started to grow. Zenit turned down offers from FC Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspurs and Newcatle United. In January 2009, Zenit, in the last minute of the transfer deadline, finally accepted an offer from Arsenal.

He made his debut for his new club against Sunderland on the 21/02/09 and hasn’t looked back since then. Who can forget the 4 goals he scored at Anfield last season in the 4-4 draw?

For the Russian National Team, he debuted in May 2002 and was named captain in June 2009. He featured in the EUFA EURO 2008, which saw the Russian National Team steamroll into the Semis, only to be knocked out by Spain. He was named in the Team of the Tournament.

Arshavin’s versatile nature comes in handy for both Russia and Arsenal, due to his ability to play in several positions. He can play down the centre, as an assistant striker or as a winger.

This is Arshavin’s second nomination for the Ballon d’Or, having been nominated last year.