Arshavin considers calling time on career
The Arsenal playmaker is in the final months of the £95,000 a week contract he signed when he joined the Gunners from Zenit St Petersburg for a club record £15m in February 2009 and will not be offered a new deal.
The lack of viable alternative employers — presumably scared off by the wages he would demand — have added to Arshavin’s disenchantment and prompted him to consider pulling the plug on his career, according to reports in England.
Arshavin’s fall from grace has been spectacular.
His move was initially seen as a success with Arshavin — having starred for Russia at Euro 2012 — quickly establishing himself as a crowd favourite at the Emirates.
The highlight of his time in north London came in April 2009 when he scored all four goals in a 4-4 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
Things quickly went downhill, however, as the Russian’s inconsistency, work-rate, attitude and fitness frequently infuriated Emirates natives.
January 2012 saw a particular low point as Arshavin was booed on when he replaced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Manchester United. The mood turned more toxic when he failed to track an Antonio Valencia run in the build-up to United’s winning goal.
Within months Arshavin had returned to Zenit on loan before returning to Arsenal at the start of this season and the fact his only starts this season have come in the Capital One Cup speaks volumes about how far his star has fallen.
