Revealed: What Arshavin had on his T shirt and why he is in trouble

By 1970’s Gooner

What a fantastic goal scored by Andrei Arshavin against Barcelona. He usually celebrates with his finger on his lips, but not on this occasion. Well not in the usual way…

When he lifted his Arsenal shirt he revealed another T shirt underneath which had the logo of his own cloths brand "Andrei Arshavin." In this picture he does actually have his finger at his lips!

Andrei has obviously not been receiving good advice as he probably will find himself in trouble with the authorities. This sort of commercial promotion is of course not allowed and he could potentially receive a caution from UEFA.

Lionel Messi himself, not so long ago, received a retroactive yellow card from the Spain FA when his T shirt underneath said "Happy Birthday, Mom!"

When Andrei was asked about his T shirt in the Russian media yesterday after his goal against Barcelona he did not want to elaborate. He said:

‘I would rather not talk about it’

Andrei launched his own clothes brand in St. Petersburg in June last year. He developed the idea of creating his own brand as he fought against counterfeited goods being sold under his name.

“I hope my soccer activities will help to promote the brand,” Arshavin was then quoted. “I will take part in the project, but soccer will remain in first place until the end of my career.”

Arshavin said that he hoped to further expand the range of goods being produced under his brand in the future, but added that no alcohol or cigarettes would be produced in his name.

The designs are casual style and include three lines — children’s clothing, young fashion and classic clothing for men.

The logo for the new brand features a black-and-white silhouette of Arshavin holding his forefinger to his lips — the gesture that the soccer player makes when celebrating his goals.

Andrei is known of course to have a double life as a designer of women’s clothes.


He comes from a working-class family in St Petersburg and enrolled in the St Petersburg State University of Technology and Design aged 17, originally studying chemical technology, but taking up sewing because of the number of women on the course.

He showed a flair for design and began making clothes. A number of his early pieces are held in the institute’s museum.

Arsenal are in a win win situation

By 1970’s Gooner

Every one has been writing us off against Barcelona. Ever since the draw has been made no one, apart from the fanatical core of Arsenal supporters, has been giving us a chance of going through.

Yet if you compare the two teams since their last meeting you can only see the greater improvement in Arsenal. Starting from the back:

• Manuel Almunia: I think that Szczesny is a better goalkeeper than Almunia. Granted Almunia was not really at fault for their goals in the second leg but the young boy is capable of turning in a performance if required.

• Bacary Sagna: no change here when compared to last year.

• Thomas Vermaelen: A fit Vermaelen would have been a great plus for Arsenal. We are a bit minus here when compared to Koscienly.

• Mikael Silvestre: Need I say no more? Djourou, our player of the season for me so far. A definite plus here.

• Gael Clichy: He is an improved player this season after an indifferent last season.

• Denilson: He proved inadequate last year. Jack is of course a far more effective midfielder

• Abou Diaby: He is out of this tie but Song who did not play in the return leg is a box to box dynamo who can look after Messi and Co much better than Diaby or Denilson did last time.

• Samir Nasri: If he is fit and plays then we will have a very potent forward line but otherwise Arshavin, who didn’t start in the second leg, is finding his form again.

• Tomas Rosicky: Was inept last season and I am glad he will not start this time. Cesc who didn’t feature last time will run the midfield. A big plus here…

• Theo Walcott: Theo has improved no end this season where he has managed to add nous to his unbelievable pace.

• Nicklas Bendtner: He was our front man last time out and scored but with Robin van Persie in the team we look a different proposition….


The big changes this time are Song, Fabregas, Wilshere, Djourou and van Persie. They replace Denilson, Diaby, Silvestre, Bendtner and Rosicky. Don't tell me that these are not massive changes.

So overall we are a team which is more experienced, balanced and brimming with quality.

If Arsenal go through, then the big psychological impact on the players could propel them to Premier League success. The impact will be phenomenal.

But if we fail to qualify we still gain really because expectations have not been that high anyway and we will be able to concentrate on the league.

Unlike Man Utd who will, if they go through, have to play those midweek matches which take a toll on the players.

I keep telling you, Arsenal are in a win win situation….

Djourou could be back against Wolves

By 1970’s Gooner

At last some positive news on the injury front. Johan Djourou has suffered only a bruising on his knee and not a damaged cartilage as at first feared.

The swelling had made it difficult to make a proper diagnosis the Swiss FA national team doctor Cuno Wetzel said. Djourou is expected to be back within seven days.

The first medical studies have shown that Djourou is injured on the knee cap, not a cartilage damage in his knee which has recently been operated there.

"The player has but a very painful bruise near the knee”.

"If the healing process is normal, Djourou is probably less than one week away of beginning training" Wetzel predicted.

Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld rates Djourou very highly:

“Djourou is a very important player for us. We have seen in his comeback in November 2010 in Geneva against the Ukraine how important he is for the team. He's back very well, plays very high, and when during the dead ball situations he ventures into the opposing penalty area the defenders pay particular attention to this 1.90-m giant and this may bring space and benefits for other players of our team. "

I couldn’t agree more with Mr Hitzfeld. Johan has been one of the reasons why Arsenal are challenging for the title this season. He has been immense at the heart of our defense both on the ground and more importantly in the air.