Arshavin graduated from the Smena football school. In the 1999 and 2000 seasons, he played for Zenit's second team in the Russian Second Division. In 2000, Arshavin was promoted to Zenit's first team. On the field, he can play any position in the midfield or forward line, including winger, attacking midfielder, and striker. Initially, he played as a right winger, then moved to an offensive midfield role, and eventually developed into an excellent striker. Last season, Arshavin was named the best player of the Russian Super League, largely due to his versatility across multiple positions. On May 17, 2002, Arshavin made his national team debut in a match between Russia and Belarus. On March 24, 2007, in the European Championship qualifier against Estonia, Arshavin was appointed captain of the Russian national team by Hiddink. In the 2007 Russian Super League season, Arshavin appeared in 30 matches, scored 10 goals, and provided 11 assists, helping Zenit win its first league championship since 1984. Arshavin possesses exceptional ball control skills and has a broad vision on the field. In the UEFA Europa League matches during the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons, he participated in 25 games and scored 11 goals, ultimately leading Zenit to win the UEFA Europa League title on May 14, 2008. He was also named the best player of the final match.