Arshavin: Why I took the penalty
According Andrey Arshavin, his goal yesterday was credited to Arsene Wenger’s orders.
The Russian followed up a dismal display at Anfield with a contributive performance against Blackpool on Saturday.
Arshavin spearheaded a smart one-touch move with Chamakh and Rosicky before setting up Walcott who opened the scoring against the visitors.
And the former Zenith man got his name on the score sheet just after the half-hour mark, but he had capitalized on a spot-kick earned by Marouane Chamakh.
With Arsenal’s new striker likely to be goal-hungry on his competitive home debut, Chamakh was a good bet to dispatch the penalty-kick himself but the Moroccan chose to obey his manger’s orders to unselfishly hand Arshavin the chance – as the Russian revealed after the match.
“Before the match Arsene wrote a list of our penalty kick takers. My name was the first one. Frankly, I do not remember the last time I took a penalty. I guess it was five or six years ago. I am glad that I managed to score a goal – my first official goal this season.” Arshavin said
Skipper Fabregas and senior striker Robin van Persie would have been likely candidates for the spot-kick had they been present and Arshavin admits you will not see him taking that duty too often.
“I do not know (whether I will be the regular taker). Everything will depend on Arsene’s decision and the players on the pitch.”
The 29-year-old also played down any complacency from the Arsenal camp after Saturday’s delightful show and is switching attention to the physical test at Blackburn Rovers next week, after which he will gear up for international duty with Russia.
“No, it’s just a victory. It’s just three points. In order to fight for the championship, we should beat such teams. By the way, Chelsea also scored six against Wigan.”
“We have a very important game against Blackburn. We should win in order to leave without any worries for a break caused by the participation of the players in the national teams. This will give confidence to the team. In addition, we haven’t forgotten about the defeat against Blackburn at the end of the last season.”
“Yes, I’m going to London after the game and then in the evening I’m flying to Russia.”
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Liking your blog. Arshavin is slowly getting there I feel, and with Walcott and Vela kicking on, we are looking as good as ever going forward.
Started a new blog recently, would love to share it to a wider audience
Cesc And The City
Cheers mate! Nice work and title you have there too 😆
Jack should rplace
diaby in midfied
Jack`s not quite ready yet IMO. Maybe after the international break, against one or two of the lower table teams. He needs a little confidence boost. Liverpool at Anfield, hurt him a bit. He`s only 18 remember.
Randy i like how u come up with your stories, different and u tell somethings we don’t hear else where but are facts
Cheers guys. I also love how you appreciate what I do and keep me moving on even when I have little chance/time to do so.
I run this site because of people like you.
Top post Randy, keep up the great work! Arshavin will come through for us this season, I’m sure.So will Rosicky and others!
Whats Diaby done wrong now, after just two games????
The trouble with some Arsenal supporters is that they need someone to hate, to point the finger at, to always blame one person who you don’t like.
Lay off it’s the start of the season, he played better than Wilshire that’s a fact and scored a goal, what more do you want?? a midfield full of midgets!!!
people are stupid
True that!!!