• Premier League

Wenger reveals love for Arshavin

ESPN staff
January 28, 2012
Andrei Arshavin has done little to impress at Arsenal this season © PA Photos
Enlarge

ESPN will be showing the clashes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle when it continues its coverage of this season's FA Cup with three matches from the fourth round. For subscription details please click here

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has rallied behind under-fire midfielder Andrei Arshavin, claiming he loves the Russian.

Arshavin has thrown in a series of disappointing displays and his season plumbed new depths against Manchester United last Sunday as he climbed off the bench to hear boos ringing round the Emirates - with Gunners fans unhappy about the substitution of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

To compound the problem, Arshavin's failure to track Antonio Valencia led to Manchester United's winning goal.

In the face of criticism of the substitution and the form of Arshavin in general, Wenger has backed his player.

"I love Arshavin as a man and as a player," Wenger said.

"I don't think the fans were too much against him, it was more they wanted Chamberlain to stay on the pitch.

"I didn't take it as booing of Arshavin, I just thought they wanted to keep Chamberlain on the pitch, which we can understand."

ESPN Fan Films: The Spirit of Shankly

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices