Биография: Андрей Аршавин

Andrei Arshavin (Russian: Андрей Сергеевич Аршавин) (born May 30, 1981 in Leningrad) is a Russian international football forward who currently plays for Zenit St. Petersburg. He is a versatile Second Striker who can also play as Attacking midfielder and Side midfielder. He is best known for his close control, vision and pace.

Club career

Arshavin graduated from Smena football school. In 1999 and early 2000 he played for Zenit's farm club, Zenit- 2, in the Second Division.

In 2000 he was included in the Zenit squad. He played in various positions on the field, starting as a right midfielder, then as an attacking midfielder and finally adopted the second striker's role playing on a flank or behind a target man. He won the Russian Premier League Award for the player of the season largely because of his ability to play well as a winger, playmaker and as a striker.

In the 2007 Russian Premier League season Arshavin guided his Zenit St Petersburg side to the title, starting all 30 matches - scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists along the way. It was the club's first league title since claiming the now defunct Soviet Top League in 1984.

Control, vision and strong running are viewed among the abilities which characterise his style of play.[1]

Arshavin scored 11 goals in his 25 matches for Zenit in the UEFA Cup. On 14th May 2008, Arshavin drove his team with a man-of-the-match performance and set up his side's two goals to win the 2008 UEFA Cup for Zenit St. Petersburg.

International career

Arshavin debuted for the national team on May 17, 2002 in a match against Belarus. On March 24, 2007 he was the Russia captain in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia.

He was included in the Russia Euro 2008 squad by manager Guus Hiddink, despite being unable to play in the first two group matches due to suspension.