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Four-goal salvo is just the start, says Andrey Arshavin
James Olley22.04.09
Andrey Arshavin has declared Arsenal are yet to see the best of him despite an amazing four-goal performance against Liverpool.
The Gunners left Anfield with a 4-4 draw after a pulsating clash in which Yossi Benayoun scored a stoppage-time equaliser to keep the hosts' Premier League title hopes hanging by a thread.
Arshavin moved to north London in January after a protracted £15million transfer from Zenit St Petersburg and consequently missed the Russian club's pre-season training.
And after an astonishing night at Anfield in which he emulated Julio Baptista's achievements in a League Cup match back in 2007, the 27-year-old said: “I had only scored a hat-trick twice in my career. I feel good but also disappointed because we did not get the victory.
“Both teams wanted to win. What can I say? It was unbelievable football but that's England for you. I don't think I have adapted yet because in the first half I was quiet except for the one moment when I scored. It's difficult but I will try — I need time.
“I am a new player — I have to go through pre-season and then everything will be better. I don't think they were good finishes last night. It just happens like that sometimes when the ball hits the target.”
Fernando Torres and Benayoun both scored twice and captain Cesc Fabregas warned his team-mates they can forget winning the Champions League if they defend in a similar manner when visiting Manchester United for next week's Champions League semi-final, first leg.
“From the supporters' point of view, it was an amazing game,” said the Spaniard. “You give a lot, because it is all the time going forward and back especially in the second half.
“I think it was a good game of football. We have seen the best things we can do but there are a lot of things we can improve on.
“We played in front of great players and great fans and the team has to be proud of what we achieved. But still we go home with the feeling we should have done more.
“We gave the goals away too easily and after all we did to create four opportunities to score four goals — it is difficult to take.
“From an attacking point of view I think we played one of the best games of the season. Defensively we need to improve a lot if we want to be in the Champions League Final.
“It is the most difficult thing because when you attack you have the creativity to do what you feel. If defensively you are not well positioned, you will concede goals. We still need to do a lot of work on it.”
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez conceded the draw puts Manchester United, who face Portsmouth tonight, in the “driving seat” in the race for the Premier League title.
Benitez said: “If they win it will be more difficult but they have to play against Arsenal so we will see.
“We have a point against a good team and we are top. We have to keep pushing until the last game.
“The positive thing is we have scored four goals against Arsenal and the team was fighting hard. This has to be the way until the end of the season.”
Reader views (10)
Arshavin should always play but also whats wrong with Eduardo hes more lethal than Van Persie who reminds me of Merson very talented but does the business every 6 games.
Get 2 Centre Halves by selling this lot:- Toure,Eboue,Adebayor,Bendtner and Van Persie(Arsenals sick note) who won't sign a contract because he wants to know Arsenals ambition thats a laugh.
- Peter, Essex
The defence last night was truly embarrassing, couldn't even kick the ball in to the stand.
But what can you say about Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin? Not only the best player on the pitch but more talented than so-called best player and the in universe - Ronaldo and without the dives and moaning.Why did he not play from start in FA cup semi?
Silvestre should quietly retire.
Sell Toure to Man City for £10m (they rate him).
Sell lazy Adebayor and buy top central defender.
- Undercover Elephant, London, UK
Great game Arshavin played a blinder,to go to Anfield and score four goals was unbelivable,at the other end of the field the defence was shocking Fabianski played ok and stopped plenty of shots,but Torres looked dangerous every time he got the ball,and the defence were nervy all game.Fabregas played well and i just hope we dont sell him.One of the best games this season.
- Jim Ex Pat, London N.1, thailand
Torres showed why at the moment along with Messi,he is the best player in Europe,superb touch,work-rate,and finishing,even though he was up against BERT and ERNIE in the centre of the Gooners so called defence,i dont know who was worse that pairing or Laural and Hardy on the Pool defence..it could have been more if most of Liverpool`s efforts were not straight down Fabianskis throat..Arshavin had the ball about 6 times and scored four,beside that Reina did have not to do 1 save,the rest of the Gooners should have a good look at themselves,also how can Adebayor be tired,he has hardly played alll year and showed very little desire to earn his big fat wage.
- Evs, st johns wood
games involving these two will always be exciting when the tweenies are defending for both sides,comical defences on view througout.Man Utd title now for sure
- Phil, HERTS
Well said Mickey, All scoring loads & all conceeding loads, very entertaining.
- Dom, London
Arshavin man of the match and punished Liverpol for their mistakes.
Toure is the worst central defender in all UK.
He was like a headless chicken running and not knowing what to do.He was at fault in all four goals,and in one of the goals he even obstructed Fabiaski to catch the ball.
The game was great to watch.BUT WENGER NEEDS TO CHANGE HIS CENTRAL DEFENDERS or again next season will be without Cups.
Referee Webb was again chosen to referee this game .WHY??
A.Messina
- A.Messina, Malta
Arshavin's performance last night begs only one question. Why did he not start against Chelsea at the weekend?
Arsene knows??? I'm not so sure.
- The Plumster, London
Maybe Arsene Wenger can sit Van Persie & Adebayor down, show them the footage of Arshavin's display last night & ask them to justify their £80,000 a week salaries by showing the same effort & ability as Arshavin. Simply awesome!
- Rob Gooner, North London
Well Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal, may not win the premiership; but they are far more exciting to watch than Manchester United.
Maybe we should have a National FA championship of Britain’s Best Entertaining Football Team; that would mean more than just the number of points a team might have etc.
4-4 is always better than 1-0, or 0-1.
- Mickyinlondon, london
