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The captain of the Russian national team, who won almost all possible titles with St. Petersburg's "Zenit", the most expensive player acquired by London's "Arsenal". All these merits and achievements belong to attacking midfielder Andrei Arshavin, but on May 29, on his 31st birthday, the twists and turns of the player's career and life did not always avoid pitfalls.
The footballer was born in St. Petersburg and grew up in a family of football enthusiasts. As a child, Andrei was involved in a car accident, where he was hit by a car and narrowly escaped death. Fate was not merciful to Arshavin later on as well. At the age of 12, he found out that his parents were getting divorced. The future footballer had to sleep on the floor in his mother's apartment, as his father had no faith in his professional career.
Arshavin entered the "Zenit" football academy and devoted all his attention to training. He admits that he was not the best child in school and his teachers had problems with him. Once he tore up a diary and narrowly avoided expulsion. However, the "wild child" managed to calm down, finish school, and later attend classes in fashion design.
He made his debut in the highest Russian football league at the age of 19. Arshavin began defending the honor of his hometown team "Zenit" in 2000 and did not take off their jersey until 2008. During that time, he punished opponents 76 times, with 107 goals scored after his passes. The Russian added to his collection of victories by winning the Russian championship and cup, UEFA Cup, and Super Cup trophies. He also received numerous individual awards - titles as the most assists provider in Russia, European Championships, as well as awards in England where he moved as a midfielder in 2008. The Russian added to the roster of London's "Arsenal".
In England, the Russian had to settle for a role as a substitute player, but that didn't stop him from scoring important goals and successfully distributing the ball to his teammates. He was voted the best player in the match many times, and several times he was chosen as the best player of the month. In 2009, Arshavin was named the most valuable player of the Premier League. In 98 matches for the "Gunners," he scored 23 goals. In 2012, the London club loaned out the midfielder to the "Zenit" team. It is said that the player himself wanted this. This decision was influenced by the upcoming European Championship and the preparation phase.
In the Russian national team, Arshavin made his debut in 2002. However, he did not participate in the World Cup of 2002 and the European Championship of 2004. Later, during 58 matches, the midfielder scored 17 goals, becoming one of the key players of the national team. In the 2008 European Championship in Austria and Switzerland, the player only started from the third group stage match, as he was previously disqualified. Nevertheless, he defeated the Swedish goalkeeper in the last match and helped the Russians advance to the next stage.
He also demonstrated an impressive game in the quarterfinals. Against the Dutch national team, Arshavin scored a goal and made an assist for the winning Russians. Unfortunately, they could not beat the Spanish team in the semifinals. In the 2010 World Cup qualification cycle, Arshavin scored three goals, but his efforts were not enough. The Russians did not go to the Republic of South Africa after losing to the Slovenians.
