Arsenal’s Andriy Arshavin: Premier League Easier To Adjust To Than I Thought

The diminutive Russian believes the strength and pace of the Premier League has forced him to adjust his game.

1 May 2009 14:22:57

EPL: Andrey Arshavin, Liverpool - Arsenal (PA)

It is testament to Andrey Arshavin's instant settling in to life at Arsenal that his statistics from just three full months of games read like an end of season profile: six goals and eight assists in all competitions, despite only making 12 appearances.

The Russian international, who is one of the shortest player's in the league, cites the physical nature and the pace of the Premier League, together with his talented team-mates, as the main causes for his quick adjustment.

"I didn't expect it to be easy to adapt to English football," he explained to the Evening Standard. "In Russia, I never had to face such physical battles. If I jumped for the ball and a defender pushed me in Russia, the whistle would blow every time. Here it never does.

"But it's up to me to change what I do on the pitch, better movement, quicker decision-making. I'm not afraid to be in a battle but if it's a Micah Richards or a Robert Huth I'm up against, I'm only half their size!

"When the defenders are that big, you can't fight them. You have to use your brain against them."

Arshavin was also swift to pay tribute to those he shares a dressing room with.

"The real difference is that the average ability of the players at Arsenal is higher. They're harder to play against in training!" he smiled.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com