May 30, 1981 (Leningrad/Saint Petersburg): The Arshavin family celebrates the joyous birth of their son Andrei.
June 21, 2008 (Basel): 27-year-old Andrei establishes himself as a superstar by destroying the Dutch defence and sending a nation of 142 million people into raptures.
If you watched the Euro 2008 match between the Netherlands and Russia, then you would have definitely been impressed by a certain little maestro's guile, pace and vision.
His extra-time dinked crossed pass which eluded Edwin Van der Sar, finding the tiny feet of Dmitry Torbinsky and then the net, was the stuff of magic. He then followed it up with a goal himself to put the icing on the cake.
The diminutive number 10 is no longer a Russian secret and has fully exploded onto the international scene with an unstoppable verve.
After giving the aging Swedish defence nightmares in the final Group D match, ultimately sending his nation into the quarter-finals, Andrei Arshavin became the architect of the demise of a ridiculously talented Dutch team.
In two matches he has tormented some of the most established international players with trickery, play making, and off-the-ball runs that would have made Pele and Maradona proud. The disappointment at not witnessing him in the first two Group D matches, due to suspension, should be extremely high.
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With countless assists and 13 goals in 36 matches for his country, as well as 47 in 217 matches for his club Zenit St. Petersburg, he can be assured of having some of the most prominent suitors in European football chasing his signature this summer.
Equally adept as a winger and in the hole behind the striker, it is no wonder he is capable of such sumptuous displays like playing a major part in the 4-0 demolition of Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup semi-final.
The question then is: Who is going to break the bank and how much are they going have to part for his services?
One thing is for sure: It's definitely going to be eight figures, and big eight figures at that, for a player at his physical peak and on around £50,000-a-week. During Zenit's UEFA Cup run, whispers began to accumulate about a move to the English Premiership, with Manchester City, Newcastle and Everton interested.
Everton manager, David Moyes, apparently even contemplated a £12 million move after selling James McFadden and being impressed by Arshavin's mesmerizing performance against his team in the UEFA Cup group stages.
So, £12 million before the Bayern match, before the UEFA Cup win and before Euro 2008. The Rosgosstrakh Championship (Russian Premier League) Player of the Year is surely guaranteed a fee in excess of £20 million. To bid any less would certainly be a slur on his amazing skill and ever-enhancing reputation.
He has truly conquered the hearts of the Russian people and that of this reporter who is now truly hooked on "Euro Two Thousand and Great". We should bow to this little Russian who goes about his business with fantastic flair and a boyish vigour.
Just don't expect him to sign for Newcastle after Euro 2008. Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger should take heed and bid, for he is overall better than the Judases Cristiano Ronaldo and Aliaksandr Hleb.
Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin would grace any big team in any major league with his extraordinary skill and amazing work ethic.
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2 months ago
It's unfortunate Everton weren't able to complete a deal prior to Euro 2008. Picking him up in January would have been ideal for us, both tactically and financially. It looks now like he's out of our price range, unfortunately.
2 months ago
After the game today, the answer should be A LOT! He's getting a reported $100,000/week for Zenit SP.
2 months ago
nice article.
after watching arshavin today, i'm more than impressed. maybe if he goes to the premiership i'll get to watch him some here in the states.
2 months ago
I will bet Abramovic will break the bank on this one. For once he can buy a quality fellow Russian... Let's say he'll cost them 25 million pounds and he'll have to be on at least 90 K quid a week which is a minimum considering the figures being tossed around for Ballack, Drogba, Lampard, Terry, and Sheva in terms of wages at Chelski.
Good article btw.
from 2 months ago
Trust me, I would love him to wear royal blue next season but I can't see it.
He doesn't seem the type of player Scolari would buy but then maybe Roman will give him some advice.
2 months ago
Quite a lot I'd say, but his transfer figure and benefits package will be decided between the clubs involved, the player himself and his representatives. Accordingly, speculation on this website, or any other, is futile.
2 months ago
I dont like the comparison you did with Ronaldo at the end. To me they're completely different players and a bit unfair to both players..
To me, he reminds me a lot of certain player Argentinian - Lionel Messi.
I've been mighty impressed with the dude and i would say he's worth quite a lot now after those two performances against Sweden and the Dutch..
from 2 months ago
I agree that you can't compare them.
What I really enjoy about Arshavin is the way he just gets on with it and lets his feet do the talking. Mr. Ronaldo could learn a thing a two about work ethic.
I certainly know who I would want in my team and it's not the Portuguese.
2 months ago
First off, great article and welcome to BR! Arshavin reportedly has a release clause of 10 million pounds in his contract - so no matter what he's worth, he is valued at that price.
He's a wonderful player, has great feet, good movement and an eye for goal. Definitely want Arsenal to get him. No doubt about that.
from 2 months ago
Well Shyam you're now the 14th Arsenal fan I know who wants him at the Emirates.
He's really captured a lot of fans and will probably now capture a lot of £££.
2 months ago
That a good one Thomas....Chelski !!
from 2 months ago
Cant say its original, seen a few people make fun of the new Russian tinge of the organization by using that name.
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