Euro 2008 Player Profile: Andrei Arshavin

(Andrei is on the right, fyi.)

Name: Andrei Arshavin
Team: Russia
Group: D; Sweden, Spain, Greece.
Caps (Goals): 33 (10) as of May 14, 2008
DOB: May 29, 1981 (27 years old)
Position: Attacking Mid/Second striker
Club Team: Zenit St. Petersburg

It seems only fitting to feature the man who set up what was ultimately the winning goal in today’s UEFA Cup victory for Zenit St. Petersburg.

Arshavin is easily one of the best players currently not playing in Western Europe – along with Zenit teammate Anatoliy Tymoschuk. It seems like he should have, or should be soon, making his way to one of the Big 3 leagues or the Bundesliga, but apparently he’s got a good thing going in St. Petersburg. Andrei grew up in the city, made his way in Zenit’s youth system, won a couple RPL Player of the Year awards and has now helped bring Russian Premier League and UEFA Cup titles to the club in the last year. And along the way he was named captain of the Russian National Team by The Human Knockout Rounds Ticket, Guus Hiddink.

AA is something of a hybrid striker/winger/playmaker, not entirely unlike the role Adrian Mutu has taken up for Fiorentina. He’s got pace, dribbling skills, tricks and the ability to finish, but most importantly he’s got vision. These skills allow him a sense of versatility, playing on the wing or behind the strikers, and he’s got a tendency to float across the pitch a bit. Under Guus he’s almost always employed as a support striker behind one or two up front.

Russia, like Zenit in the UEFA Cup, appeared to almost sneak up on people and surprisingly qualify for the Euros at the expense of England – though I’m not sure any success with Hiddink can be considered surprising. In both cases, Arshavin often acts as a catalyst for the attack and thus a big reason for their accomplishments. It’s hard to argue he’ll be able to sneak up on anyone in Swissaustria, but you never know.

With Group D being a fairly wide open competition – at least the knockout spot not designated to Spain – Russia has a real chance at making a dent in the competition, especially with Guus. And if Arshavin performs to capability, they may even have a surprise candidate for Player of the Tournament on their hands along with their achievements.

A pure joy to watch on the ball.

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