The flame could not have burned brightly for lengthy, however there is no denying what Andrey Arshavin was in an Arsenal shirt – a game-changer.
At a time when the Gunners are actually crying out for particular person aptitude and invention within the ahead line, the Russian maverick was definitely that in his early Emirates profession, having joined only a matter of months on from a glowing Euro 2008.
27 on the time, he had by no means performed outdoors of his homeland prior to creating the swap on a £15m deal in January 2009, but the fleet-footed winger instantly hit the bottom operating, scoring six in his first 12 league video games, earlier than including ten the next season.
|
Arshavin – PL document |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Video games |
Objectives (Assists) |
|
12/13 |
7 |
0 (0) |
|
11/12 |
19 |
1 (3) |
|
10/11 |
37 |
6 (12) |
|
09/10 |
30 |
10 (3) |
|
08/09 |
12 |
6 (8) |
|
Complete |
105 |
23 (26) |
Such early highs weren’t to be maintained, however the now 44-year-old secured cult hero standing regardless, one thing Arsenal’s newest, left-field goal might look to realize if a deal is to be struck.
Arsenal readying first summer time bid for £44m sensation
Whether or not or not this season ends in glory, the plan seems to be clear on the Emirates underneath Andrea Berta. Signal at the very least one new ahead.
Be it on the left or proper flank, the Gunners seem in want of great improve, having seen their Champions League and Premier League surge largely carried by their defensive and midfield may this season.
Amongst these tipped to make the swap has been AC Milan’s Rafael Leao in latest weeks, with the Portuguese speedster having seemingly been a long-term goal for the north London.
Elsewhere, nevertheless, additional reviews have indicated that the Gunners might truly be able to make a concrete, ‘official’ provide for an additional attacking expertise, within the type of Galatasaray’s Baris Alper Yilmaz.
As per Turkish journalist Kaya Temel, Arsenal plan to lodge a bid when the season involves an finish, doubtlessly eager to strike a deal earlier than Yilmaz heads off to the World Cup with Turkey.
By way of price ticket, it has been in latest months that the Tremendous Lig facet can be on the lookout for a price of round £44m, amid rival curiosity from the likes of Chelsea.
Why Yilmaz could possibly be the subsequent Arshavin at Arsenal
With the Blues having despatched scouts to look at Yilmaz in motion this season by all accounts, there could possibly be an attention-grabbing parallel to Arshavin’s personal arrival in England, with the Russian having been a key goal for Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea again in 2008.
It was Arsenal who in the end gained that race, nevertheless, with Arshavin occurring to attain 31 targets in 144 video games for the Gunners, together with that 4 aim haul towards Liverpool at Anfield.
Together with his low centre of gravity, devastating dribbling prowess and elite goalscoring potential, the now 44-year-old was such a risk in his pomp, proving such a handful all throughout the frontline.
Bringing Yilmaz into the fold would definitely really feel like a repeat in that sense, with the Turkey worldwide additionally an actual livewire in his personal proper, having been likened to Gareth Bale, such is his blistering velocity and acceleration.
Like Arshavin, the 25-year-old has solely performed in his homeland up to now, becoming a member of his present facet in the summertime of 2021 and rising as an actual centrepiece for the Istanbul outfit since then.
Sometimes deployed off the left however comfy within the centre or on the alternative flank, very similar to Arshavin, the £44m-rated expertise has loved one other stellar season at Gala, racking up 27 targets and assists in 47 video games in all competitions.
That features 19 aim involvements within the Tremendous Lig alone, whereas his whole tally for the membership stands at 72 targets and assists in 203 video games, mirroring Arshavin as each a supplier and a goalscorer from the flanks.
He’s one thing of an help machine, guaranteeing he could possibly be the right addition to get the likes of Viktor Gyokeres firing alongside him, having created probabilities galore once more this season.
Within the Turkish top-flight, Yilmaz has created ten ‘massive probabilities’ and averages 1.9 key passes per sport in 2025/26.
For comparability, solely Declan Rice has reached double figures (16) for ‘massive probabilities’ created again at Arsenal, whereas solely Rice (1.9) and Bukayo Saka (2.0) can match or higher Yilmaz’s document for key passes.
That highlights why Berta and co are pursuing what could possibly be seen as one thing of a left-field transfer, with it seemingly well worth the danger regardless of the winger’s lack of expertise outdoors of Turkey.
Who is aware of, he could possibly be the subsequent cult determine to emerge, similar to Arshavin earlier than him.
If Berta indicators Alvarez: £45m star who’s “like Henry” shall be completed at Arsenal
As rumours proceed to reach about Arsenal’s curiosity in Julian Alvarez, it is turning into clear that one participant can be completed by the transfer.

