Andrey Arshavin's ready to be the centre of attention again

Four-midable: Andrey Arshavin celebrates after scoring four against Liverpool at Anfield last season
11 April 2012

Andrey Arshavin returns to the scene of his defining moment thus far in English football on Sunday aiming to make the transition from intermittent brilliance to Arsenal's most potent force.

The 28-year-old striker provided a devastating example of his attacking prowess in scoring all four goals as the Gunners drew 4-4 with Liverpool back in April.

Typically of the man, after becoming the first player in 63 years to score four times in a single League game at Anfield, he candidly told reporters that "I did not play very well".

At the time that remark was passed off as mere eccentricity but on reflection it revealed an uneasiness with his own performance that for the most part is yet to be eradicated.

While there have been flashes of genius unparalleled at home and abroad, the Russian has made no secret of his displeasure at playing on the left side of a three-man attack.

For it is from this position that he has struggled to influence games with great frequency in the way he does for Russia, where he tends to operate in a more central position.

Only last month, Arshavin admitted that he and his family are still struggling to adapt to life in England following his £15million move from Zenit St Petersburg in January but his passion for the game on these shores remains undiminished.

It is with this enthusiasm that he must throw himself into a central striking role and build on his impressive efforts against Stoke on Saturday, where he quelled the unrest inside Emirates Stadium courtesy of a delightful opening goal on the way to a 2-0 win.

Eduardo could return from a thigh injury to fill the void created by Robin van Persie's absence but Arshavin looked far more convincing, albeit against limited opposition, than Eduardo's utterly anonymous audition against Chelsea.

Carlos Vela, who signed a new long-term contract with the club yesterday, is not ready for a game such as this while manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed Nicklas Bendtner will be sidelined until the New Year with a groin problem.

Theo Walcott could potentially solve the Van Persie conundrum but the England winger believes Arshavin could be the man for the job, especially with that memorable occasion eight months ago in mind.

"You would have to ask the boss that question but for me Andrey is a great player no matter where he plays on the pitch," said Walcott. "We have got Carlos and me who can do a job up there but Andrey did a great job against Stoke and hopefully he can perform again.

"He will be at it again and hopefully the rest of the team will be as well.

"You always want to be on his team in training. He gets all the goals and is a bubbly character. I remember coming on and setting up Andrey's last goal.

"You could see the tension of the Liverpool fans getting on their backs. It was an unbelievable game for the neutral. Andrey came in and announced himself in the Premier League and did a fantastic job. I wonder what the odds would be on him scoring four goals again."

Bookmakers Ladbrokes quote 100-1 about a repeat of Arshavin's awesome foursome but for any optimistic punters to be rewarded, he may first have to come to terms with the demons he appears to be battling.

"It doesn't matter where I play - on the right side or the left - I don't think I have played that well," said Arshavin recently. "Only sometimes have I shown my full skills and I am not sure why that is.

"But we are still doing well and fighting for top place so that is very positive and I still have time to show something of myself."

That fight for top spot is reaching critical mass against the backdrop of a seemingly ever increasing injury list that was added to after Emmanuel Eboue was ruled out of the trip to Merseyside with a hamstring problem sustained in last weekend's victory over the Potters.

"We have problems with many players," said Wenger. "If you look at the players who started against Stoke, certainly Eboue and Tomas Rosicky will miss this match at Liverpool.

"William Gallas and Armand Traore are still doubts but I think they will make it.

"Cesc Fabregas has a back problem and Arshavin has got a bruised foot but I think they will be fine."

Although Fernando Torres is set to return to the starting line-up, Liverpool appear vulnerable more than ever this season, especially in light of the midweek Champions League home defeat to Fiorentina. Despite Arsenal's injury concerns, Walcott believes the title is still within their grasp.

"There are a few teams involved in the title race and we are definitely one of them," he said. "We are strong candidates and with Chelsea losing it gives other teams the chance to catch them up. These are the games we need to win, especially away from home.

"If I get to start, I will play my heart out and we are going to go right at it. All the players had a rest day on Wednesday so I am sure they will be raring to go."

However, Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has issued a rallying cry to his own team in the wake of the tepid end to their European campaign.

The Argentina captain said: "The confidence is not here at the moment but we have a big game now to show to ourselves, to the fans and to everyone that Liverpool still have a good team that can fight for something.

"It's not a must-win game on Sunday but it's really important.

"It's not just about the three points, it's about the whole situation that we are currently in."

Talking tactics with James Olley

Fernando Torres' likely return to the starting line up is Arsenal's biggest concern as they look to win at Anfield for the first time in the Premier League since 2003. William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen struggled to cope with the physical presence of Didier Drogba in last month's defeat to Chelsea and Torres poses a similar threat. The Gunners will look to stifle service into him from midfield and Alberto Aquilani could be set for a pivotal role on his first league start for the Reds. With Mascherano, Denilson and Alex Song all battling for possession, the midfield tussle will be a frenetic affair but Liverpool will be wary of being over committed given the devastating nature of Arsenal's counter-attacking football. In the match that ended 4-4 eight months ago, Rafa Benitez's side exerted long spells of pressure yet were undone by breakaway moves of breathtaking speed and Arsene Wenger will look to Theo Walcott and Andrey Arshavin in particular to provide a repeat. Armand Traore faces a stern test of his credentials having only played away from home twice this season and both times ending up on the losing side. Cesc Fabregas and Arshavin linked up to superb effect against Stoke and that combination is likely to provide Arsenal's principal penetration once more, although whether the Russian can be as effective in a central role against high class opposition remains to be seen.

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