Arsenal FC: "Average" Andrey Arshavin Still Deserves a New Contract

Temperamental Russian forward Andrey Arshavin has offered a fresh admission that his performances have been “average” since he joined Arsenal.  However, the Gunners should still go ahead and give the mercurial attacker a one-year contract extension.

A new deal probably feels like an unjust reward for the club's record signing.  Arshavin began his Arsenal career brightly, but has fallen so far from grace that he is now commonly regarded as a lazy, luxury player.

The dilemma with Arshavin is that his long spells of torpor are occasionally interrupted by moments of pure, individual brilliance.

These highlight-worthy passages of play serve as cruel reminders of the incredible talent Arshavin tragically uses so sparingly—but without these moments Arshavin is a mere passenger.

Arsenal’s tactical structure makes no allowances for passengers.  Arsene Wenger’s philosophy is built around constantly moving parts and intricately designed passing patterns.

The whole team should function like a well-oiled machine—that’s the theory, at least.  In this kind of system it only takes one poor performance from a single member to derail the starting 11.

More often than not, Arshavin is that weak link.  His nonchalance on the left wing undermines Arsenal’s reliance on overlapping full backs. His static style has led to the demise of numerous promising counter attacks. 

Solving the enigma of Arshavin is no easy task.

This season Wenger has experimented with allowing the former Zenit star to operate in more central areas.  On the face of it, the idea has a lot of merit.

Putting Arshavin in a position where his limited contributions can have the maximum effect is an intelligent use of resources.  However, the plan still relies on the cooperation of the Russian international to make it work.

If Arshavin is coasting through a game in central areas, it only increases the burden on the two deeper-lying players in Arsenal’s midfield.  They become committed to operating strictly on the halfway line and consigning themselves almost exclusively to defensive duties.

When on form, Arshavin is a born match-winner.  The task for Wenger is to identify the best way to regularly illicit these kinds of contributions.

Impact sub is likely Arshavin’s best role at the moment, and Wenger should stick with the plan of playing him in the middle.

Arshavin’s quick thinking and creative flair are the ideal attributes for Arsenal to introduce to help take the pace out of a game and take advantage of opposition who are pressing them high up the pitch. 

Arshavin’s intelligent distribution and eye for a through pass would be crucial in these situations.  It would be a role similar to the way the great Dennis Bergkamp was used towards the end of his magnificent career.

This is the best way for Arsenal to get the most out of Arshavin as the moody Russian approaches the twilight of his own playing days. 

At the moment basic touch and control continue to consistently elude him and a role with less pressure represents the most prudent method to help restore his confidence.

Coming off the bench to turn a big game in Arsenal’s favour is the perfect way for Arshavin to arrest his alarming slide into mediocrity.

With this is mind, Wenger should give his diminutive playmaker one final chance.  At some point during the season, an above-average performance from Arshavin could catapult the Gunners back to trophy-winning success.