Arsenal FC: 5 Reasons Why Andrey Arshavin Is Key to the Gunners Title Chances

After six years of near misses, calamitous errors and catastrophic collapses, Arsene Wenger is under more pressure than ever to deliver Arsenal's first silverware since 2005. 

Forgotten man Andrey Arshavin has the ability to play a significant role in Arsenal's quest for the league title.

With rival clubs willing to pay top prices to secure quick deals, there is the growing impression that Arsenal risk falling further behind the main contenders in 2011/12.  This notion is lent more weight by the uncertain futures of two of the club's chief assets, Samir Nasri and influential skipper Cesc Fabregas.

At risk of losing the technical and creative heart of his team, Arsene Wenger has a lot of work to do to convince people that Arsenal have a legitimate claim on the Premier League championship this season. 

If he rediscovers his best form, Andrey Arshavin can provide the solution to many of Arsene Wenger's biggest problems.

Andrey Arshavin's spell in North London has become increasingly characterised by a frustrating lack of effort and consistency.  But he remains a player capable of winning any match regardless of the opposition.

Here are five reasons why the mercurial Russian playmaker can be crucial to Arsenal's title prospects in 2011/12.

5. Assuming the Creativity Burden

If Cesc Fabregas does depart for Barcelona, Arsenal will lose their most productive playmaker.  The Spanish international's innate ability to exploit the spaces in between and behind the opposition back line is the key to Arsenal's style of play.

Andrey Arshavin possesses some of the sharpest creative instincts in the game.  Technically gifted and with a natural eye for a defense splitting pass, the former Zenit star has all the attributes to act as the inventive fulcrum in Arsene Wenger's team.

Arshavin is the only player capable of delivering goal making passes as frequently as Fabregas.  The Russian's speed of thought on the pitch is second to none.  Even in an indifferent season Arshavin still chipped in with an impressive 17 assists.

The absence of Fabregas could serve to liberate Arshavin.  He is too often isolated and nonchalant on the left wing.  The need to take up the mantle of Fabregas would provide Arshavin with a more plausible reason to occupy his preferred central areas.

Granting Andrey Arshavin the license to orchestrate Arsenal's play would also benefit two other important players.

4. Ease the Pressure on Robin van Persie

When Cesc Fabregas went down with injury in December 2008, Robin van Persie took it upon himself to be both chief goal scorer and provider.  The Dutchman is certainly capable enough to do both, but since that season, his exploits in front of goal have become the best part of his game.

Robin van Persie is now in the elite bracket of strikers who can be realistically expected to score every time they take the field.  His proficiency in front of goal has become vital to Arsenal's chances of victory.

Despite significant injuries in each of the last two season's van Persie has still found the net on 32 occasions.  If Arsenal persist with their existing formation van Persie will be expected to continue as the team's main source of goals.  

A lack of sufficient creative potential in 2011 would increase the pressure on the former Feyenoord prodigy to have to completely carry the team.

Arshavin's presence as chief provider will give van Persie the freedom to fully concentrate on unleashing his deadly finishing ability on the rest of the Premier League.

3. Good Partnership With Samir Nasri

Despite the insistence of reports in the UK press, it seems highly unlikely that Arsene Wenger would be prepared to offload both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the same summer.  The captain's long-held desire to return to his homeland, plus the greater financial haul he would fetch, makes Cesc Fabregas the more likely departure.

Samir Nasri's emergence last season as a player capable of reaching a world class level, makes it easier for Arsenal to contemplate finally parting ways with Fabregas.  If Fabregas is sold and Arsene Wenger opts to turn the team over to Nasri, Andrey Arshavin could be crucial in how successfully the Frenchman can replace Fabregas.

With Nasri as the focal point of Arsenal's midfield trio, the Gunners game may become more direct.  Not quite as adept as Fabregas at picking out a decisive final ball, Samir Nasri's would more likely benefit from a central role because of the greater opportunities available to run at the heart of a defense. 

With his tricky footwork and powerful shooting, Arsenal fans could reasonably expect Nasri to achieve a 15 to 25 goal tally from this position.  But he would need players around him who could quickly react to his movement and pick out his runs.

Last season Arshavin laid on goals for Nasri against West Brom, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Fulham.  They can form a dangerous partnership for Arsenal, regardless of which one of them occupies the middle.

2. Impact Sub

Andrey Arshavin's worryingly poor stamina coupled with an equally troubling absence of commitment, eventually led to Arsene Wenger deploying the Russian more from the bench as the season progressed.

While Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott operated on the flanks in Arsenal' hybrid 4-3-3, Arshavin was reduced to a bit part contributor.  With Arsene Wenger rumoured to be looking at several wingers in the transfer market, Arshavin may once again find himself relegated to spot duty in 2011/12.

Ironically, Andrey Arshavin offers a lot as a super sub.  Last season he emerged from the dugout to score a vital goal against Everton in the Premier League, and no Gunners fan is ever  likely to forget the cameo appearance which yielded his thrilling finish against Barcelona in the Champions League.

Often a languid figure on the pitch, so much of Arshavin's best moments during a match come in brief snatches.  Blessed with a low center of gravity and utilising a scuttling, slaloming running style, Arshavin is tough to dispossess when in full flow. 

His tremendous shooting ability from both feet makes him a danger anywhere in and around the box.  Arshavin's eye for a sudden through ball means he requires very little time to turn a game in Arsenal's favour.

Utilising Arshavin in a reduced capacity could serve to maximise the best qualities he offers Arsenal's game.  Conversely, still being on the bench in 2011/12 may be a sign that Arshavin is never going to fully commit to the Gunners cause.

1. Bounce Back Ability

There is no question that Andrey Arshavin must rebound from an indifferent beginning to his Arsenal career.  After much initial promise, Arshavin is now widely considered to be a player who performs when he feels like it.

There is certainly plenty of justification for this growing consensus.  The perception is beginning to harm Arshavin's standing on the international stage.  The Russian must soon prove that he has what it takes to be a major success in the Premier League.

In fairness to Arshavin, even in a down year he produced numbers that would be the envy of a lot of top flight players.  If Arsenal lose one or both of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, Arshavin would have to take on more responsibility in the team.

His temperament remains a cause for concern, but on his day Andrey Arshavin is one of the few genuinely world class players in Arsene Wenger's squad.  If he can finally put it all together, Arshavin is capable of propelling Arsenal to that elusive silverware.