Arshavin - I need some more time to settle

By Richard Clarke

Andrey Arshavin has scored or created 11 goals in his eight Premier League starts – but he still feels he has not adapted to English football yet!

The Russian hit a quite brilliant quartet in Arsenal’s 4-4 draw at Anfield on Tuesday night. But, incredibly, after the game the 27-year-old suggested it was “difficult” at the moment and he required a bit of breathing space.

“If you look at the first half you never saw me except for one moment when I scored,” he said. “It is difficult for me but I will try and I need time.

“Everybody else is ‘common’ to play with each other. I still have to go through pre-season and after that everything will be in a good place.”

Arshavin put Arsenal in a very good place four times last night. Giving them leads at 1-0, 3-2 and 4-3 in a mind-boggling affair at Anfield. However Yossi Benayoun’s injury-time equaliser left the midfielder with mixed emotions.

“I feel good but also disappointed because we did not get the result,” he said. “Both teams wanted to win. What can I say, it is unbelievable football - it is England.

“I am disappointed because we want to win each game. We want to be at the top, not fourth place.

“When we pressed [forward tonight] we played good but when we dropped back it was very dangerous for us because Torres and some tall players won the ball. They got the second ball and tried to shoot but everybody must take responsibility for losing balls not just the defence and the goalkeeper. Everyone must help.”

The result banished some of those FA Cup Semi-Final blues and extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run in the Premier League to 19 games.
 
Arsène Wenger remains positive in his pursuit of third place however the only chance of silverware is the Champions League, and this was a fillip for next week’s Semi-Final against Manchester United.

“Confidence comes when you win,” said Arshavin. “We drew. It is not good tonight but I think we will go through next week. I hope so but I can’t play and so it is easier for me to say.”

 

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[Wednesday, April 22, 2009]

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