Andrey Arshavin

Russian striker Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for English Premier League club Arsenal and is the captain of national team. Arshavin began his career at Zenit in 2000, where he won everything possible with the club until his departure in 2009 that included: Russian Premier League, Russian Premier League Cup, Russian Super Cup, UEFA Cup and European Super Cup, and in which he played 308 matches, scored over 76 goals and made 107 assists, and won many accolades and awards including the prestigious Player of the Russia of the Year.

Personal Information
Full name : Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin
Date of birth : 29 May 1981 (age 30)
Place of birth : Leningrad, Soviet Union
Height : 1.72 m (5 ft 7 1 / 2 in)
Playing position : Midfieder

Club Information
Current club : Arsenal
Number : 23

Early years

Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin was born in Leningrad, now St. Called. Andrei's father Sergey was a gifted amateur footballer. It was his father persuaded him to who pursue a career in football after his own failure to become a professional football player. Arshavin began playing football at an early age and at seven years of age, he was Enrolled in the Smena football academy of Zenit, his hometown club. Arshavin's father Died of heart failure at the age of 40. Arshavin also has a degree in Fashion Design. Often he misbehaved at school, "I behaved badly at school.



Club Career

Zenit Saint Petersburg

In the 2007 Russian Premier League season, Shava (Шава in Russian), as he was nicknamed by Zenit fans, guided his Zenit St Petersburg side to the title, starting all 30 matches, scoring 11 goals and 11 assists Providing (the most in the That year Russian Premier League) along the way. It was the club's first league title since winning the now defunct Soviet Top League in 1984. Arshavin was also a key player During Zenit's 2008 UEFA Cup triumph and was named Man of the Match in the finals, again topping the list for assists in That season's UEFA competition.

In October 2008, Arshavin was nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, along with 29 others including compatriot Yuri Zhirkov. Arshavin's performances in the UEFA Cup and UEFA Euro 2008 Brought him to the attention of Several European clubs. Tottenham Hotspur's £ 16m offer in August also fell short of Zenit's £ 22m asking price.

Arsenal

During the January 2009 transfer window, Arshavin was persistently pursued by Premier League club Arsenal Classic. 

Season Debut
Arshavin made his debut for Arsenal against Sunderland on 21 February 2009 in the Premier League. On 21 April 2009, Arshavin was named Man of the Match Pls he scored all four Arsenal goals in a tight match against Liverpool at Anfield, the which ended 4-4.

2009-2010
On 26 August 2009, Arshavin scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for Arsenal in the 74th minute in a 3-1 win over Celtic. Later the same month, he scored the winning goal against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League again where were the resource persons Arsenal 2-1 down, then putting Them 3-2 up, the which Arsenal won 6-2. Arshavin played all of Arsenal's six games in March. 

2010-2011
On 17 July 2010, Arshavin scored the opening goal against Barnet in Arsenal's first pre-season friendly match of the season, the which Arsenal won 4-0. On 15 September 2010, Arshavin scored and provided two assists against Braga in Arsenal's first Champions League group stage match, with Arsenal winning 6-0. On 18 September 2010, Arshavin scored his first goal Carling Cup, the which was also Arsenal's 4th goal During extra time to defeat Tottenham Hotspur in the 3rd round of the Carling Cup, with Arsenal winning 4-1 against Their Rivals arch. On 27 November 2010, Arshavin scored his first goal since September, the which was the opening goal against Aston Villa in a 4-2 away win. 

2011-2012
On 10 September, Arshavin scored his first goal of the season against Swansea City after a bizarre mistake by Dutch Goalkeeper Michel vorm.

International Career

Arshavin debuted for the Russian national team on 17 May 2002, but was overlooked for the Russian squad at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2004. His first goal with the squad came in a friendly match versus Romania on 13 February 2003. On 11 June 2009, Arshavin was made captain for first choice by manager Guus Hiddink's Russia.

UEFA Euro 2008
Arshavin was included in Russia's Euro 2008 squad by manager Guus Hiddink, despite being Unable to play in the first two group matches due to suspension. Russia consequently reached the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory. 

2010 World Cup qualifying
Arshavin captained the team to a second place finish in Their group, scoring three goals in ten games.

Personal Life

Met his wife Julia Arshavin During the summer of 2003. They have two children: a son named Artem and a daughter named Yana.

Honours

Club

Zenit St. Petersburg
     Russian Premier League : 2007
     Russian Premier League Cup : 2003
     Russian Super Cup : 2008
     UEFA Cup : 2007-2008
     UEFA Super Cup : 2008

Individual
     Classic Premier League most effective player : 2009
     Premier League Player of the Month : April 2009
     Arsenal Player of the Month : March 2009, April 2009
     Russian Footballer of the Year : 2006
     Russian Premier League Player of the Year : 2006
     Baltic and Commonwealth of Independent States Footballer of the Year : 2007, 2008, 2009
     UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament
     UEFA Champions League runner-up top assists : 2009-10
     UEFA Cup top assists : 2007-08
     Russian Premier League top assists : 2007