'At the moment, losing Fabregas and Nasri is a catastophe,' Arshavin told Russian newspaper Sport-Express, recounting how he watched from the sidelines as the Gunners struggled to break down Udinese before eventually progressing in their Champions League play-off.
'Watching the Udinese match I said to (Nicklas) Bendtner that now we have no-one so comfortable with passing the ball to Robin van Persie or who ideally utilises the qualities of the other forwards.
'He smiled and replied, "Yes, the only player who could properly replace Cesc is probably Xavi".
'I'm very glad that I was able to play in the same team as Fabregas - he is a truly class footballer.
'When people say no-one is irreplaceable I don't agree. With (Mikel) Arteta or whoever replaces those who have left, we will play different football, not as we played with Cesc and Samir.'
'I know a bit about Mertesacker, he is a good defender who should definitely help us. I know nothing about Andre Santos other than that he plays for Brazil - but this in itself shows credentials.
'Arteta and Benayoun have long proved themselves in the Premier League, they're not bad signings. And we needed strengthening in those positions.
'Perhaps another holding midfielder wouldn't hurt and, as far as I know, we were trying till the last minute to get M'Vila, but unfortunately we weren't able to buy him.
'Judging by the quantity and quality of our signings, Arsenal's football will soon undergo some changes.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2033820/Andrey-Arshavin-Arsenal-losing-Fabregas-Nasri-catastrophic.html#ixzz1X50csI8I
Arshavin's Latest Quotes
posted on 5/9/11
I think Arshavin is a little too honest sometimes.
I want him to be more like Frimpong.
posted on 5/9/11
Russian newspaper Sport-Express
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When he came he said that the Russian press will ALWAYS misquote him.
I doubt he said the stuff about another midfield player is needed.
posted on 5/9/11
'Judging by the quantity and quality of our signings, Arsenal's football will soon undergo some changes.'
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And that in itself is a good thing! I've thought for sometime the over reliance on Fabregas was criminal!
I'm sure we'll continue to play the attacking football we're famed for, but I seriously am hoping for more of a practical approach, it's needed...
Arshavin is right in that replacing Fabregas like-for-like was/is pretty much an impossibility. However, in Arteta, I think Arsenal have a creative player who can actually spot a pass before anyone else, create space and be a genuine asset!
posted on 5/9/11
Well at least the players can come out and say what we all feel.
Its true, Cesc can only really be replaced by Xavi. And now I think Cesc is better than Xavi overall. He is the best in his position, and will by end of seson prove me theory to be right.
posted on 5/9/11
What did we win with fabregas & nasri?
posted on 5/9/11
Castor Troy: Nothing. But without Cesc we lack creativity and the through passes to van Persie who's game rely certainly on Cesc. I think too, we could replace Nasri easily but Cesc?
posted on 5/9/11
I agree, rvp will suffer without cecs but maybe rvp could be given the roaming role as he is the most creative player in our team.