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Andrey Arshavin was disappointed to see Samir Nasri leave
Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin has admitted that losing both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri is a 'catastrophe' for Arsenal, but believes Yossi Benayoun and Mikel Arteta are capable of taking the team in a different direction.
The Russian concedes that Arsene Wenger's squad has lost its two key creative players, but admits it was a pleasure to get a chance to play with Fabregas during their time together at Emirates Stadium.
"At the moment, losing Fabregas and Nasri is a catastrophe," the forward told Russian newspaper Sport. "Watching the Udinese match I said to [Nicklas] Bendtner that now we have no-one so comfortable with passing the ball to Robin van Persie or who ideally utilises the qualities of the other forwards.
"He smiled and replied, 'Yes, the only player who could properly replace Cesc is probably Xavi'. I'm very glad that I was able to play in the same team as Fabregas - he is a truly class footballer."
Arshavin acknowledges that neither player's place can be adequately filled by a new signing, but believes the two new midfielders acquired by Arsene Wenger on transfer deadline day can nevertheless help Arsenal recover and play in a slightly different style.
"When people say no-one is irreplaceable I don't agree," he said. "With Arteta or whoever replaces those who have left, we will play different football, not as we played with Cesc and Samir.
"Arteta and Benayoun have long proved themselves in the Premier League, they're not bad signings. And we needed strengthening in those positions.
"Perhaps another holding midfielder wouldn't hurt and, as far as I know, we were trying until the last minute to get [Rennes midfielder Yann] M'Vila, but unfortunately we weren't able to buy him.
"Judging by the quantity and quality of our signings, Arsenal's football will soon undergo some changes."
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Andrey Arshavin you are not playing well at the moment and you have to work hard and show us you are a better player then who have left Arsenal. every time you play you keep making mistake. I won`t forget that day when you score 4 goals against liverpool.
When are you going to score like that again. You look like a good player and you used your brain to play right football. My eyes is watching you mate .
good team the gunners i support lfc but enjoy wacthing the gunners ..greedy players yet again
Rather than looking at the players around you, why don't you just concentrate on your own game mate? If Nasri and Fabregas are no longer there to play that perfect pass, why don't you? instead of being that ball greedy **** we have seen in last few games who loses ball within 1 min of doing his own dribbling. It's time to step up and raise your game and this can only be done if you have the passion and the drive to succeed! if not, then as we all see it at Arsenal, you'l soon be following some of the **** players like Bendtner we have seen out of the Emirates!
I really think now is the time Arsene Wenger should be putting solid pressure on Arshavin otherwise like others have suggested, he will soon put more pressure tha already is on Wenger himself!
if arsenal's team was anything like the days of bergkamp and co this joker wouldn't be around to varnish the bench let alone sit on it so he should thank his lucky stars stop moaning and step up to the plate because the last time i checked when a team loses key players it opens the door for others to step up and shine..... arsenal should have left the santos deal and put the money towards cahill to get him signed because he was just the type of player arsenal needed plus he's only going to get better and i know there's talk of arsenal going back in for him in january but i have a feeling by then they wont be the only one's biding for him.....
Totally agree with Arsenal having a sensible wage structure because footballers are paid far too much and their greed is ruining the game
What they failed to do though was to offer enough money to buy class players especially when they have scooped over £50 million with their prized two. The £6 million bid for Gary Cahill was a joke - should have been £18 million.
They are still weak at the back and they need to strengthen in the January window so they need to up their bid to say £10 million as he will only have 6 months left on his contract.
All those knocking Wenger get off his back, your either jonny come lately fans(not supporters) or spurs fans know nothing. Its not Wenger who sets the wage structure its the board, Wenger never wanted to sell Nasri but he never wanted to stay, what manager would keep someone who does not want to stay ? Get real and Fab has always been saying he wanted to go home and Barcelona just kept on and on at him so what was ARSENAL to do?
And to compare man city as a top 4 team is a joke , just remember where they were a few seasons ago and what saved them, not skill but ARAB money, check the history of ARSENAL, liverpool, man u, chelski and you will see where the class lies and its not the blue half .
Also get your facts right before you write and make your self look like the kids you are!!