Arsenal's Forward Drought Paradoxically Unleashes a Super Tsar: Sky TV Says He Could Have Scored 5 Goals
Last Saturday against Stoke City, two key forwards Eduardo and Walcott were injured just before the game. However, after the match, media reports unanimously stated that Arsenal had turned misfortune into fortune, all thanks to Andrei Arshavin who was thrust into action as a center-forward. His performance reassured fans who were worried about the team possibly suffering a fourth consecutive domestic defeat, and also gave manager Arsène Wenger a new and highly efficient forward lineup configuration.
"Could Have Scored 5 Goals"
The decision to play Arshavin as a center-forward in this match was out of necessity. Eduardo suffered a thigh muscle strain during training, while Walcott, who could also play up front, had an issue with his calf tendon. Starting young striker Chuba Akpom would have been too risky given the recent three-game losing streak domestically. After weighing his options, Wenger decided to deploy Arshavin as the center-forward. This change proved crucial in helping Arsenal break free from their losing streak.
Arshavin's performance began as early as the third minute when Fabregas delivered a precise through ball after receiving a midfield pass from Rosicky. Arshavin received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Sorensen made a timely save. Undeterred by the missed opportunity, Arshavin returned in the 20th minute, dribbling past Shawcross and Delap before being brought down inside the box by Delap, earning a penalty. Although Fabregas missed the spot kick, it was Arshavin who stepped up again. Following a combination play with Fabregas, he advanced into the left side of the Stoke penalty area and scored with a low shot at a difficult angle, calming the nerves of his teammates.
Subsequently, Arshavin had two more shots on target inside the box that nearly found the back of the net. One was saved brilliantly by Sorensen on the line, and another hit the crossbar after deflecting off a defender. Besides scoring, Arshavin also provided good opportunities for Nasri and Traoré. Ramsey's final goal to secure victory came from exploiting a defensive lapse caused by Stoke's defenders focusing too much on marking Arshavin. After the game, Sky TV awarded Arshavin an 8 out of 10, the highest score of the match, with the comment: "He could have scored five goals."
Alan Shearer Pours Cold Water
In addition to the media, Stoke City manager Tony Pulis also praised Arshavin post-match: "Arshavin's performance today was exceptional. Moving him to the center-forward position seemed to increase his threat. Apart from impeccable positioning, he also gained more space to operate in his new role. Throughout the match, our two center-backs struggled immensely against him." Indeed, playing as a center-forward, Arshavin showcased both shooting and passing abilities, and his ability to drop deep and orchestrate plays resembled Van Persie's. This performance suggested that Arshavin might be the ideal candidate for the center-forward role during Van Persie's absence.
However, amidst the praise, some media outlets pointed out that another reason for Arshavin's lively performance upfront was that Stoke City did not employ the pressing defense that Arsenal often struggles against. Alan Shearer, in BBC's Match of the Day, analyzed Arshavin's performance, showing clips where no Stoke players pressed him immediately after making passes or receiving the ball. If opponents like Chelsea or Manchester City use physical advantages to tightly mark Arsenal's midfielders and forwards, whether Arshavin can still perform so comfortably remains uncertain.
Actually, Wenger is well aware of his disciple's characteristics without needing reminders from the media. Post-match, the professor noted that determining Arshavin as the first-choice center-forward based on one game's performance was premature. Nonetheless, compared to other teammates in this position, the Russian has his strengths: "Arshavin is physically stronger than Bendtner, Eduardo, and perhaps even Van Persie. His movement and ball control are also adequate for the role. But I'm still not entirely sure if he's the right fit for the position since my options here are limited. We need to find a relatively balanced lineup amidst the injury crisis. However, his performance today was indeed impressive, so I may consider starting him in this role again."
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