Arshavin’s Iron Curtain

As the icy conditions decended upon Britain in January, so did Andrey Arshavin and his entourage who ensured that by the end of the transfer window he had become Arsenals’ £16.95million record signing.

In one of the most protracted and drawn out transfer saga’s in living memory, the Russian playmaker fulfilled what he called a ‘dream’ move to north London, and at the same time gave Gunners fans what they have craved for so long – a true big name, big money signing.

Following the moves ratification by the Premier League, Arshavin has set out to fulfill his potential of quite possibly being the clubs most important signing since Dennis Bergkamp was brought to Highbury by Bruce Rioch in 1995.

A long term injury to captain Cesc Fabregas clearly exposed the huge void requiring skill, leadership and experience, whilst also exposing the lack of creative depth in the centre of Arsenal’s midfield, with inconsistent youngsters Abou Diaby, Denilson and Alex Song all plugging the gap with relatively mediocre success.

Many felt that Wengers best solution to the lack of invention through the spine of his side came in the closing stages of an ugly 1-0 victory over Bolton at the Emirates – removing the ineffective Diaby for the pacier, more creative Mexican Carlos Vela, allowed Samir Nasri to roam in the centre of midfield and cause havoc in the final third of the pitch. It seemed that the Frenchman’s self titled role as a ‘non-axiel playmaker’ could be the answer whilst Fabregas observed from the sidelines. Wenger, however, chose to stick to his guns and stand firm and faithful by selecting Denilson and Diaby in central midfield for their maiden visit to Humberside to face Phil Brown’s faltering Hull City side.

However, following several lacklustre performances this season, Arshavin’s introduction provided a cool blast through the nerve centre of the Gunners formation, bringing invention, experience, and most importantly, an end product.

Countless times this season Arsenal have poured forwards, passing and moving to no avail en route to gouging out painful one-nil’s and goalless draws against sides destined for mid-table obscurity. But the Russian schemer’s own ‘Iron Curtain’ has provided assists and goals when it’s mattered – and the finishing has been astoundingly clinical.

Many thought that Julio Baptista’s four-goal haul at Anfield in 2007 would not be replicated for many years to come, but Arshavin proved the doubters wrong with two fantastic close range finishes, and a long range bullet before having the composure to convert a through ball from Theo Walcott’s pass after launching himself from one end of the pitch to another in the blinking of an eye.

Reeling from four consecutive seasons without a trophy, Gunners fans will hope that with Arshavin and two or three more solid dealings in the transfer market by manager Arsene Wenger in the summer, that they will finally be seeing the ruthless execution of the ‘Invincibles’ of 2004 running through a young side that can provide reason to celebrate for many years to come.