Andrei Arshavin Musings

Only time will tell whether our new Russian recruit will acclimatise to both England and the Premier League, but as far as I am concerned it is this alone that will prevent this transfer from being a successful one. Many have pointed to his initial interview and his ability to speak English, albeit broken, as clear evidence of an individual who's been gearing himself for the big stage of the Premier league for some time.

If this is the case perhaps he also has a good grasp of Spanish since it was not so long ago he appeared to be intent on a move to Catalunya. Nevertheless let's disregard Arshavin's motivation behind learning English and focus our attention on realising how crucial it is for any foreign player to adapt and fully integrate to both a new club in a new country.

The other uncertainty obviously surrounds his fitness given his lack of action in the last two months but surprisingly widespread rumour seems to indicate he might have some part to play in tomorrow's derby.

Wenger is notorious for "easing" players in but may opt to give him a spot on the bench now that the modern game allows for a bench of seven—this could certainly aid his acclimatisation. I guess this just leaves the possibility of Arshavin failing to meet the huge weight of expectation that now rests on his shoulders.

Hang on a minute, would this be the same weight of expectation that rested on his shoulders when he returned to a Russia side who had struggled in the opening two games of Euro 2008? He's a confident little so and so and the last year or so has shown he's quite prepared to carry the mantle for his side, the only exception (and it is a big one) being the Euro 2008 semi. Fortunately the player who shined in that fixture also plays for Arsenal!

Many have speculated as to where he will play, but one has to recognise Wenger doesn't expect his sides to go out and comply to rigid formations. When Arsenal are in full flow (which seems a long long time ago) and tearing into the opposition they constantly interchange positions in order to create space and clever angles.

His best position is supposedly just behind a lone striker, but arguably this is true of both Nasri and Rosicky. Initially I expect he'll play out wide as that's where the Professor has traditionally tended to put his more creative playmakers. Others have asked where another nimble fleet-footed diminutive attack-minded footballer will fit in when the whole squad is fully fit.

Clearly le Boss won't be able to play all of Fabregas, Rosicky, Nasri, Arshavin and Walcott at the same time, it's too attack-minded and light-weight for even Wenger. However many have argued that Arsenal lack strength in depth for some time, and add to these five Van Persie, Eduardo, an in-form Adebayor, Vela, Wilshire, and Ramsey and Arsenal have a seriously exciting collection of attacking talent.

Personally as good a player as Arsahvin is it surely won't be until next season where we'll see the best of our Russian wizard, particularly as he's ineligible to play in the Champions League where I feel he'll probably be afforded a little more room than he will get playing against most sides in England—particularly at the Emirates.

It's impossible not to see this transfer as a step in the right direction in terms of squad strengthening—his quality is not in doubt. What we must all sincerely hope is that he fails to pickup that wonderful Arsenal '08/'09 knack of the sideways pass.