n be effective doing that but if not hes shown he can throw out of our bullpen.

Andrey Arshavin was regarded as one of the most exciting talents in European football when he joined Arsenal from Zenit St Petersburg in 2009, so what went wrong? Nick Wright reflects on a career of fleeting brilliance and wasted talent… Andrey Arshavin may not have left much of a legacy at Arsenal, but his winning goal against Barcelona in 2011 still ranks as one of their greatest moments at the Emirates Stadium.The Russians sweeping finish sealed a 2-1 first-leg victory over the imperious Catalans and, while it ultimately wasnt enough to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, its fair to say the Gunners would cherish a repeat result on Tuesday. Five years on from that memorable night in north London, the landscape looks very different for Arshavin. The mercurial forward reached the end of the road at Arsenal in 2013, and at the start of February a brief spell at Russian side Kuban Krasnodar concluded with the termination of his contract. If there is an offer to continue playing, I will definitely take a look at it, said Arshavin. If not, I will end my career. He is 34. Arshavin wheels away in celebration after scoring against Barcelona in 2011 Arshavins sad decline was already in motion when he scored that goal against Barcelona, but he appeared to have the world at his feet just a few years earlier. His scintillating performances for Russia at Euro 2008 drew international acclaim, and he looked like a superstar in the making when he made his £15m move to Arsenal six months later.The club-record outlay represented a major departure from Arsene Wengers usual transfer policy, but Arsenal were in dire need of inspiration as they sought to make up a five-point gap on the top four, and here was an elite talent capable of making the difference. In Russia, Zenit St Petersburg rued the loss of their talisman, with manager Dick Advocaat describing it as the bargain signing of the January window.Arshavin was at the peak of his powers and his arrival initially had the desired effect, with six goals and seven assists in 12 Premier League games helping Arsenal finish the 2008/09 campaign in the Champions League spots. Supporters were smitten with the impish little Russian, and his explosive four-goal performance against Liverpool at Anfield wrote him into Premier League folklore. Arshavin scored four goals in Arsenals 4-4 draw with Liverpool For all his talent, however, there was another side to Arshavin that grew more and more prominent. In Russia he was considered as a lazy player even at his best times, Russian football journalist Artur Petrosyan tells Sky Sports. He never really liked to run much. He would be off for 60 or 70 minutes of a game, but then turn on and do something amazing.Arshavin featured regularly for Arsenal over the next two seasons, scoring 22 goals in 91 appearances in all competitions, but the moments of brilliance became increasingly infrequent. Match fitness and work rate were persistent issues, while lethargic performances and an indifferent attitude suggested his heart simply wasnt in it. Arshavin made just two starts in his final season with Arsenal He was never the most ambitious person, says Petrosyan. Actually thats a problem with a lot of Russian players. Its a problem with their mentality. When they achieve success and earn some good money, they just stop progressing and thats it for them. Thats what happened with Arshavin.There were controversies, too, most notably a run-in with a group of angry supporters after Russia exited Euro 2012 with a dismal group stage defeat by Greece. What should we apologise for? snapped Arshavin. Its not our problem that we didnt meet your expectations. Its your problem. Arsenal v Barcelona Follow Arsenal v Barcelona with our live blog across the Sky Sports platforms The comments caused outcry in Russia. His serious career ended after the Euros in 2012, says Petrosyan. Before that he was a real hero here and he was considered as probably the best Russian footballer in history, but after that it changed. He was never an easy person and there were always controversies around him, but he made up for it by playing good football. After that, though, everyone began pointing fingers at him. Arshavin captained Russia at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine Arshavin had spent the months leading up to Euro 2012 on loan at Zenit, and he returned to the Gazprom-owned club permanently in the summer of 2013. I dont regret anything, but I had to leave, he said after making just two starts in his final season at Arsenal. To train even though you know you wont play - it is psychologically difficult. I nearly suffered depression.Zenit, though, was not exactly a happy homecoming. It was the president of Gazproms idea to bring him back, says Petrosyan. Some fans liked it, but those who understand football and dont just cheer for big names could see what was going on. They knew that Arshavin couldnt help the team any more. He wasnt able to, even if he wanted.In footballing terms, after returning from Arsenal he was a just a squad player, not a regular. So he wasnt satisfied with that but he was still getting paid around 2.5m euros per year. He gained some weight and he just didnt have the desire to play anymore. Arshavin in action on his return to Zenit St Petersburg Arshavin was a peripheral figure as Zenit won the title under Andre Villas-Boas last season, and the former Chelsea and Tottenham manager confirmed his contract would not be renewed at the end of the campaign. Retirement loomed for Arshavin, but government-funded Russian Premier League rivals Kuban Krasnodar offered him a lucrative lifeline.It was a couple of months before elections in the Krasnodar region, and the governor thought it was obvious that he needed publicity and PR so he signed Arshavin and [Roman] Pavlyuchenko, says Petrosyan. But after the elections, the governor lost all interest in the club and the bad times started. Now theyre selling all their stars, theyve got money problems and they are probably going to be relegated. In the six months before the termination of his contract at Kuban, Arshavin made just eight league appearances totalling 357 minutes. None of them ended in victories, he only completed the 90 minutes once, and there were no goals or assists.There has been talk of interest from clubs in Kazakhstan and Macedonia for one final payday, but Arshavin appears to be preoccupied with business interests in St Petersburg. His footballing career is not the most important thing, says Petrosyan. If he cant play for another season, he wont be too sad.And so, as Arsenal prepare for another meeting with Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium, the hero of their last encounter nears an unceremonious end to his career. For a player who shone so brightly, Arshavins plight feels like an extraordinary waste.Artur Petrosyan is the former editor of Russian newspaper Sport Express and currently runs https://bookmaker-ratings.comWhat are your memories of Andrey Arshavin? Let us know using the message boards or by tweeting @SkyFootball Also See: What next for Zlatan? Would Gundogan suit the Premier League? Arsenal the injury-time kings Who are the fittest team? Jourdan Lewis Jersey . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. Ezekiel Elliott Jersey . 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HOUSTON -- The Astros had established such a comfort in the reliability of their high-leverage relievers that little could prepare them for what unfolded on Friday night against the Angels.Right-handers Luke Gregerson and Ken Giles, half of the Astros quartet of rock-solid relief pitchers (a group that also includes right-handers Chris Devenski and Will Harris) combined to cough up a three-run lead in a 10-6 loss that severely damaged the Astros playoff aspirations. Gregerson allowed a run on two hits in the eighth inning; Giles blew his fifth save by coming apart at the seams in the ninth.Giles surrendered six earned runs on three hits and three walks, inflating his ERA from 3.47 to 4.31 in the process. With eight games remaining in their season and their deficit for the second American League wild card now 21/2 games behind the Tigers, the Astros were left floored by the development involving Giles in particular.Toughest inning of the year, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. For a lot of reasons.Added Giles: I didnt do my job. Didnt make my pitches. Thats all I can say. I just didnt do it.The Astros (81-73) have lost twice as many games to the Angels (68-86) over the first two games of this series than they did in the first 12 meetings between the teams this season. At best, they can salvage a split of the four-game set with victories on Saturday night and Sunday.Right-hander Brad Peacock (0-0, 2.866 ERA) will make his fourth start for the Astros in the third game of the series.dddddddddddd Peacock, who has filled in admirably for injured left-hander Dallas Keuchel (left shoulder inflammation), is 3-0 with a 4.50 ERA in five career games (three starts) against the Angels. He has not pitched against Los Angeles this season.Angels right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (4-6, 5.26 ERA) will make his 33rd appearance and 21st start of the season. Chacin is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in five career games (four starts) against the Astros, including 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two games this season.Chacin, who will make his 16th start for the Angels, has toggled between the rotation and bullpen for the Angels, rejoining the rotation on Sept. 14 against the Mariners after making four appearances out of the bullpen between Aug. 27 and Sept. 10. In his last four starts for the Angels, Chacin has pitched to a 0.87 ERA.I think Jhoulys has the ability to do both, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. Hes done very well out of our pen and recently with some adjustments that hes made hes been very effective as a starter. I think his upside is still as a major league starter and I know thats what he wants to do and I think he can be effective doing that but if not hes shown he can throw out of our bullpen.