Andrey Arshavin

Andrey Arshavin was born on 29 May 1981. He began his career in Saint Petersburg. Andrey’s father, who once was a good player, fostered love for football in him. When Andrey was a child, he went in for draughts and had all chances to become a professional sportsman, but he preferred football and never regretted about that.

Nowadays Andrey Arshavin is the most illustrious Russian player among those who managed to go abroad. A lot of his compatriots left Russia, but not all of them succeeded and grew roots in other countries. Andrey made his start in the Zenit St. Petersburg football academy and played for a reserve team. A year passed and in 2000 he made his debut for the first team. Arshavin made over 300 appearances for Zenit in all competitions during his professional career. Andrey did not take part in two first matches of the UEFA Euro 2008, but his considered actions helped his national team in a sensational win over the Netherlands during the quarter-final leg. That success drew the attention of Arsenal management.

Long negotiations were complicated both by the process of coming to an agreement between the two clubs and the process of getting British work permit. However, all those problems were finally solved and Andrey Arshavin became the player of London side Arsenal. Despite the footballer was seriously injured in his first game for the new club, he continued to play and was very useful on the field. Arshavin did not manage to become a solid regular, but at the same time the Russian whiz kid scored spectacular goals and made vital passes when he was on the pitch.

Later on Andrey went back to Zenit on loan and finally returned to the home club permanently in 2013.

Andrey is not only a good footballer, but he is also a rather successful politician. He took part in Saint Petersburg deputy elections, polled a necessary number of votes, but abandoned his mandate to play football. Another Arshavin’s specialty is his own manner of celebrating a goal. He puts his finger to his lips, calling fans to be silent. Moreover, Andrey often appears in commercials and different TV-shows.