The Big Interview: Andrey Arshavin

By John Cross in Mirror Football Blog

Published 22:45 29/01/10

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Andrey Arshavin had a brief stint in politics but will never become a diplomat.

Arshavin has gained a reputation for his honest and sometimes brutal assessment of Arsenal, his team mates and their chances of success.

Once again, Arshavin is pulling no punches but he is in a positive, jovial mood ahead of what he says will be the three games - starting against Manchester United - which will decide whether Arsenal can win the title.

"I think now is the defining period of time for Arsenal and on February 10 you will see whether we are in the race or whether we will have to forget about it," admitted Arshavin.

"I think we will be and of course I hope we will be. Of course, in this season, I would like to win something, it would be great. It is achievable, I know we can do it."  Arsenal face title rivals United tomorrow, leaders Chelsea on Sunday week and then, on February 10, they entertain Liverpool.

Arshavin will have to be a central figure if Arsenal are to win their next three games and remain in what is becoming the tightest and most entertaining race in Premier League history.

The Russian has been a revelation at Arsenal since his arrival 12 months ago. Arshavin is one of the league's great entertainers with his skill, eye for the spectacular and he is also far from being your average footballer.

Arshavin is happy to talk about life as well as football, his love of ballet, hatred of parking in London and also his brief foray into politics back in St Petersburg.

Maybe that is where he gets his straight-talking from. This season he has said the club must not use youth as an excuse and they must win something this year.

Arshavin says he is a committed democrat when it comes to political views and admits that sometimes his outbursts have caused concern as to whether they would get him into trouble.

"I once got involved in politics. I supported one party in an election in St Petersburg in the local elections in my home town," said Arshavin.

"I am a democrat. I like people to feel freedom, I like people who have a special view on life, people who have an opinion, I like that a lot.

"I think it's always been in my heart, I always try to say what I'm seeing. Some people get upset with what I say. I hear people say around me that I shouldn't do it but so far it's not caused me a lot of problems.

"I like to be independent. I became like this because my mother always told me as well to speak to my mind. But I don't follow politics here." 

He is not interested in British politics, but Arshavin is keen on ballet, walks in the park with his son Artem, four, and daughter Yana, two, near his London home and his wife Yulia has enjoyed becoming a Premier League footballer's wife.

She enjoys hanging out with Samir Nasri's girlfriend, Tatiana Golovin, the Russian-born French tennis star. Twelve months after joining, Arshavin is happy with life and Arsenal.

Arshavin said: "I like the entertainment here. I like going to places with my family here, I like to go for walks in the park because I live near Primrose Hill, Regents Park and I've started to spend a lot of time there with my family.

"I like to go to shows. I went this month to the ballet and the musical Chicago. In Russia you have good shows as well, but here I can't go to the theatre for dramatic shows because I don't understand English so well.

"In Russia, I went to the theatre for a drama or a comedy but here I can't so I go to musicals or the ballet. In St Petersburg, we have the most famous ballet in the world but I've not been for ten years. Here, I've already been three or four times.

"My wife likes shopping. She has got a good attitude with the other footballers and their girlfriends, she enjoys that.

"She especially gets on with Samir's girlfriend because she is French but was born in Russia. They are in contact and spend time together when we are away."  And the food? "Two months after I moved here, it was a problem for me," he admitted. "But now I have found some restaurants which are good for me and that's not a problem.

"My only problem here is the parking, just the parking. Oh, and also if my children are sick then it's difficult to see a doctor straight away or some pills.

"You can't park where you want, you always have to park ten or 15 minutes walk away and that's difficult after training or after too many games."  Arsenal now face a run of games where Arshavin admits they will have to be at their very best to stay in the race, especially as Chelsea could be five points clear by the time Manchester United come to the Emirates tomorrow.

But Arshavin says that confidence and belief has grown within the Arsenal camp since losing at Old Trafford way back in August.

Arshavin said: "If we go into Sunday five points behind Chelsea then we must win the next three games.

"When we were at Old Trafford, we were a little bit scared when we were leading 1-0 and I don't have any concern now about the team. I am sure we will show a good performance.

"Sometimes it's not enough, but in this game we will have to make sure that it is enough.

"If you don't believe in your team, then you shouldn't come onto the pitch. I hope we will win on Sunday but they will believe we can win as well.

"It's been a good race so far. But I prefer to hear that someone is behind us because we're ahead in the race and are trying to catch us."

The Emirates Stadium will turn (RED) when the Gunners take on Manchester United to raise awareness of the (Nike) RED ‘Lace Up Save Lives’ partnership to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. (Nike) RED laces are available now at £4.00 a pair.  Visit www.nikefootball.com/RED

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