Arshavin made his name at the Euro 2008 where he played behind Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. He hasn’t been able to play that role for Arsenal because it was occupied by then captain Cesc Fabregas. Now that the Spaniard has departed and the creative void has yet to be filled consistently in his absence. Arshavin has often been overlooked in that position

Arsenal fans have often scratched heads over the form and inconsistency of talented attacker Andrey Arshavin. He came to England in 2008 and exploded onto the scene. He started wide in a 4-4-2 before Arsene Wenger shifted his system to 4-3-3 and similar versions of this.

Arshavin has shown plenty of flashes of quality mixed in with some dire displays. His defensive contribution has often been noticeable in our system and the game has at times passed him by out wide.

Arshavin made his name at the Euro 2008 where he played behind Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. He hasn’t been able to play that role for Arsenal because it was occupied by then captain Cesc Fabregas. Now that the Spaniard has departed and the creative void has yet to be filled consistently in his absence. Arshavin has often been overlooked in that position behind the front man, often handed to a midfielder who can slot back and rotate with other midfielders and carry out defensive duties.

Arshavin was given a start in his favoured role in last night’s 2-1 victory against Bolton in the Carling cup. The Russian scored and made the final pass to Ju Park who scored his first Arsenal goal.

Arsene Wenger speaking in his post match press conference explained his reasons for not playing Arshavin in that role until last night.

We have plenty of players [who want to play no.10] you cannot play with two wingers and two offensive players like that because you are too short in midfield. He is normally a wide player but he wants now to grow in a role behind the striker and of course, he can do that.

He plays where you want him to play, but if you ask him honestly, he’s an honest boy, he will always tell you that he wants to play in there.

Yossi Benayoun’s inclusion handed Arshavin the free pass to play in his favoured position as the Israeli midfielder slotted into the left attacking position and had the work rate and graft to help his midfield and this allowed Arshavin to drift into areas where he does the most damage.

It looks as if Arshavin will not be able to play in his role if Arsene continues with Theo Walcott and Gervinho in our attacking wide areas but if Arsene was to select a player like Benayoun or Tomas Rosicky in a wide berth then maybe Arshavin will get more of what he wants and possibly the position that gets the best out of him.

It will be very interesting if we see more of this tactical adjustment in the coming weeks.