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The original was posted on /r/soccer by /u/Sparky-moon on 2026-01-29 14:49:33+00:00.
As a self-confessed FC Barcelona fan, Arshavin openly stated: “As a Barcelona fan, I hope Arbeloa fails.”
On the other hand, the former Russian footballer believes that Arbeloa is in a difficult situation and that his success will not depend on tactical strategies, but on his ability to connect with the players, something that, according to him, Xabi Alonso failed to achieve at Real Madrid: “The key is to connect with the players, not to draw up plans.”
Arshavin expressed surprise that Real Madrid is not lower in the La Liga standings, stating that the team is playing so poorly that he expected a greater gap between them and the leader, FC Barcelona.
These statements reinforce his well-known stance of not sympathizing with the Madrid club, having said in the past that Real Madrid’s defeats are a “balm” for him. Another of the former Russian player’s historic quotes was: “I wouldn’t play for Madrid for all the money in the world.”