Arshavin predicts tough start for Arsenal
Published: 27 July, 2009, 12:46
Andrey Arshavin (AFP Photo/Ian Kington)
TAGS: Sport, Arshavin, Football, Premier League
Arsenal star Andrey Arshavin says the Gunners expect hard times at the start of the 2008/09 season, but the team remains one of the English Premier League favorites.
“A very difficult start awaits us as we face four strong rivals at the very beginning [Everton, Portsmouth, Manchester United and Manchester City]. Then there’ll be Champions League matches and qualifying for the tournament is one of our main goals for the start of the season,” Andrey Arshavin said to Sport-Weekend newspaper.
The Russian playmaker isn’t afraid of the difficulties that lie ahead and believes that Arsenal will challenge Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool for the Premier League crown.
“One of the Big Four will become the champion. And Manchester City, Aston Villa, Everton and Tottenham will have a chance to grab Champions League spots,” the 28-year-old said.
“Despite [Emmanuel] Adebayor’s departure, our team remains one of the best in the English Premier League,” he added.
Arsenal’s preparations for the season, which kicks off on August 15, are in full swing.
“I arrived in London on July 6 and I had my first training session the next day. We kept training till July 19, and then went to Austria, where we continued preparations for the season,” Arshavin said.
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