russian mentality...and what about american mentality.When somebody kills 5 people in America is it an american mentality.Too much stereotype is bad for your health

Overpaid, Rude, Arrogant, Selfish, Inconsistent who Sulks like a little girl if not picked. Never fulfilled his potential. A leopard cannot change it's spots.

This is not true. Yes, lot of rich Russians are profoundly rude to the point of barbarity; but on the main the Russians are passionate and they work harder-even when times were hard inside Russia- we come to know in the West people such as Pavel Bure and Alexei Yagudin for me- these two men exemplify the spirit of the Russian even in times of distress and national difficulties. Both men shined in the world stage and won glory for themselves and for their nation. Andrey Arshavin is not in this league. He is small minded and not very talented.

as for Arshavin, I think he is not the best football player but how he reacts is normal for most russians. Where ever they go they behave like kings and have no respect from other people. How many times did I have to hear in russia: "your country is ok, but russia is number one.."

What has racism got to do with what's happened to Arshavin and his impending dismissal from Zenith? due to his disrespect to Russian fans?

Regardl ess of the teams dismal performance, Arshavin as Captain was supposed to show restraint and dignity in the face of defeat and not lash out at the fans, he was supposed to lead by example but he failed, perhaps he lacks the leadership quality to lead team Russia to Victory.

Yes, sport is always about politics. Soccer in Europe as the Guardian admitted today was all about the Soviet Union. But when the Soviet Union collapsed, soccer in the Soviet Union also collapsed. Russia is now rebuilding its legacy and sports is key to that rebuilding project. Even before this Euro game have started, Andrey Arshavin was in trouble. He was sent away by his club in the UK. This should have been a clue not make him part of Russia Euro roster. Once he started, he did not redeem himself. Russia started impressively, 4-1 over the Czech Republic but it all went downhill from there. What happened from the first game to the final utter defeat to Greece? Bad coaching played most important part but also the players should have showed their collective efforts when they realised things are not going according to plan. They did not. But this guy did more- he insulted the nation and the people who came to see the game waving the Russian flag. This is why he has to go. Now compare that Mario Balotelli, the bad boy of Football. Of course, he is just a boy- he just turned 21, but in these games, he set aside his bad boy persona and listened to the instruction of his teammates and the national coach because as he expressed at a press interview two days ago, he is playing for the national team. Now, do you know how much racism Mario Balotelli had experience in the hands of Italian fans and yet he is the reason Italy is playing the final today facing Spain. After today, even if Italy loses, Mario Balotelli will be treated like a king in Italy ( Super Mario). The reason is not Italains will not stop being racists - but they now realised- despite he is but a boy- and that he experienced so much racism- Mario Balotelli understands when you are playing under the flag of your nation you are expected not hold back. This guy- Arshavin is already over 30 years of ago and he cannot understand this simple moral lesson. This is why Arshavin must go.

by saying arshavin has the skills of a fifth division player you are showing how much you really hate the guy because any football fan will tell you that andrei arshavin was the only reason Russia even had the opportunity to advance had they won against greece. Arshavin was the focal point of the russian tean and played a great tournament and the Zenit team you praise so much for not giving him a deal were actually begging Arsenal to allow them to buy him this summer. its one thing to say you don't like a player but it's another thing completely to question a players skill simply because you dislike him. Grow Up!

Bye, Bye Arshavin, never insult the fans who pay your salary....You have shown nothing lately for you to be so arrogant and condescending...you may go now and paly for the mediocre American league, and pick a city close to Las Vegas where you can w#ore around and get drunk before each game as you did before the Slovenia game and this year the Greek and Polish games. You are a loser!!!!!

Good move Zenith,,,,man should learn not to insult the fans, the people that pay for his salary....Arshavin can now play for an American tean near Kas Vegas where he can w@ore around and get drunk before he plays before each game...he is the most unpleasant, selfish and arrogant  man with skills equal to a fifth division player.

Russian football is more political than it is in any banana republic. In fact everything widely recognised, widely displayed and widely followed is political in Russia.

Just an example - the poor, drug-infested Russia that has more homeless children than after ww2 spends what was it... 8 billion USD? On that olympic games complex in Sochi. Yet at the same time things like "federal highways" in Siberia remain mud roads, much like those seen in ww2 documentaries.

So yeah, everything is political there. Even politics.

when you play under the flay of your nation, it is not a mandatory that you win every time. However, it is mandatory that you show your best effort each and every time. This guy has massive attitude and little latent. He is already 31, so let him retire .