Arshavin wins over the boss

Arsene Wenger fears for future of European football and predicts a ‘huge financial crisis’

Published: September 15, 2011
by TOM FOOT

ARSENE Wenger has pleaded with Arsenal fans to show some love for Andrey Arshavin.

Fans are growing increasingly irritable with the winger, with some believing that he is not making enough effort on the pitch.

The £15million Russian answered his critics on Saturday, though, when he made a “shussshing” gesture after coolly scoring the winner against Swansea City in the Premier League.

Afterwards Arsenal boss Wenger said: “People think sometimes that Arshavin does not care but that’s not true. He cares very much.

“He had just lost confidence but you could see that he was himself today.”

And Arshavin admitted after the match that “not everything was right before”.

His strike from an acute angle got the Gunners back to winning ways after the club’s rash of signings in the transfer window.

Wenger maintained the club is in a strong financial position and on Tuesday he forecast a “huge financial crisis” that could pose a “threat” to European football clubs.

“I am convinced that Europe will go into a huge financial crisis within the next three weeks or three months and maybe that will put everything into perspective again,” he told the Arsenal website.

“Football is not untouchable. We live with people going to the stadiums as well and from advertising from people who buy products.

“All our income could be a little bit under threat in the next few months. Football is not only about money. We believe in ourselves that we can compete with them but that’s as simple as it is.”

The Arsenal Independent Supporters Association called for a loyalty package for fans after the club announced a 6.5 per cent increase on top price season tickets before the start of this campaign.