Arshavin admits to struggles

Arshavin started the season in fine form, but in the last couple of months he has been in dire form, with Theo Walcott taking his place in the Arsenal team as Arsene Wenger’s side have powered ahead on four fronts.

Arshavin told The Sun: “I am afraid of taking the initiative. When such thoughts appear, your final decision, as a rule, turns out to be wrong. And you waste a lot of opportunities. That was happening to me in recent matches.

“Now when I get the ball, I begin to think, ‘Should I try and trick an opponent? Or if I do, will I Lose the ball? And what if I make a pass? Won’t they think that I am trying to get rid of the ball?'”