Andrey Arshavin (may 29, 1981, Leningrad) is a Russian football player, former captain of the national team of Russia, honored master of sports of Russia (2008). Playing the position second striker, playmaker, attacking midfielder. Under coach Gus Hiddink became the one of the main players of the national team of Russia. From February 2009 to may 2013 was a player of Arsenal. Prior to that, 9 years he played for the St. Petersburg "Zenith", which was returned on loan February 24, 2012 until the end of the season 2011/2012[7]. After the expiration of the contract with Arsenal returned to Zenit.
In 2008 after the European championship of 2008 came in the symbolic team of Europe UEFA, and on 2 December, the vote on the definition of the best player of 2008 and the award "Golden ball" according to the magazine "France Football", took the 6th place, which is the best result for the Russian player after the collapse of the USSR
Andrey Arshavin was in school (elementary school) at school No. 18 St. Petersburg[9]. Interest in football Arshavin instilled father, in the past a good player. In childhood Arshavin, in addition to football, it originated checkers and had him adolescent level. His coach in the section checkers Houses of pioneers and schoolchildren Vasileostrovsky district persuaded Arshavin to connect his life with the professional game of checkers, in which he predicted his disciple a great future, but Arshavin prefer football[10]. Since childhood Arshavin aches for the Spanish "Barcelona".