Arshavin baffled with left-sided role

The former Zenit St Petersburg playmaker has made an explosive start to his Gunners career since arriving in February, netting six goals in 10 Premier League outings, including four against Liverpool at Anfield.

And the 27-year-old was handed the Arsenal captaincy for the first time against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Arshavin, who missed Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Manchester United due to being cup-tied, was also absent on Sunday as the Gunners crashed 4-1 to Chelsea, their second successive home defeat and worst ever at the Emirates Stadium.

And the diminutive Russian - arguably at his strongest in behind the striker - has revealed he is "baffled" that he is even able to play wide left for the North London outfit, let alone be continually picked in that position.

"My personal plan for my initial three months with Arsenal wasn't about scoring a certain number of goals or making a set number of assists," he told the Russian media.

"I wanted to get the feeling whether I can play in England or not. Sometimes I feel that I can but other times that I don't. It's probably because that I play as a left midfielder.

"I still can't get used to the idea that I'm capable of playing on the left of midfield, and frankly having to do it keeps me baffled.

"I don't understand if it's only because God is taking care of me, or I really can play so well as a left-winger."

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