Andrey Arshavin: The Lokomotiv pitch reminded me of the WWII trenches

Zenit St. Petersburg playmaker Andrey Arshavin, on loan from Arsenal, spoke about his side’s latest RPL victory over Lokomotiv, criticized the playing surface and weighed up Arsenal’s chances in the game against Manchester City.

«What can I say, it was a fighting game. Perhaps the fans expected to see more impressive football, to see more goals. What happened was that one goal decided the outcome of the game. Although it could have been different, if Slava Malafeev hadn’t saved us. I think that the episode with the Lokomotiv unrealized penalty can be called a crucial point of the match. There is nothing more to say about the first half.

In the second half we managed to score a goal and started thinking more about defending our goal, we had to keep this victory. It was important to us. And so it happened. And now we are very glad that once again we managed to take 3 points from this away game. We have taken one more step towards our common goal.»

«There is an 11-point gap right now; Zenit is a few steps away from the championship.»

« There is no point to bring this up until it becomes a fact. We must wait for the next weekend. I think if we beat CSKA, and we need to do this, then I can say that we are the champions of Russia 99 percent.»

«Back to the match with Lokomotiv. It was the game of two halves. In the first half our opponent was outplaying us, creating several dangerous moments. But after the break, the game has changed. Why?»

«To be honest, I would not say that the halves were that extremely different. It’s just that it was difficult to create chances on that pitch. That’s why the players were making mistakes. In one part of the pitch there was nothing but trenches. You know, I once saw craters in the woods, which were left after the bombings of World War II. So: the pitch today sometimes reminded me of those trips to the places of our country’s military glory. Therefore, one can hardly say that this pitch corresponds to the normal conditions of the national championship of the country that participates in Euro2012. Of course, in my opinion, the games can’t be held in such conditions.

That’s why the players can’t show their full potential on this lawn, and the fans suffer. They have nothing to watch, they are forced to watch the struggling players, unfortunately. It’s distressing because I consider the Lokomotiv stadium one the best in our country.»

«Andrey, tomorrow Arsenal is having an important game against Manchester City. What do you thing about this game as a gunner who is currently playing for Zenit?»

«This is a very important game. No one will be satisfied with a draw. Manchester City is trying to take the first spot, they can’t lose points. Arsenal is fighting for third place. Tottenham and Chelsea are close behind. So, I’m sure that it will be an impressive and memorable clash with both teams creating dangerous moments. Both teams will play attacking football looking for their luck in front of each other’s goals.»