margo_ ?? @redbull #roomwithaviewA photo posted bby Sasha DiGiulian (@sasha

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 @SkyFootballAlso See:What next for Zlatan?Would Gundogan suit the Premier League?Arsenal the injury-time kingsWho are the fittest team?Morten Andersen Youth Jersey .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. Ted Ginn Jr Saints Jersey . "Four now," Carl Gunnarsson told the Leaf Report proudly following a 5-2 victory over New York on Tuesday night, the clubs fifth straight at home. http://www.authenticsaintssportsonline.com/saints-rickey-jackson-gold-jersey/ . After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. Taysom Hill Youth Jersey . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach. Willie Roaf Youth Jersey . John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead.American rock climber Sasha DiGiulian is an all-around badass known for her incredible talent and spectacular pictures from her journeys. It turns out she also has a great sense of humor.On Wednesday, after apparently fielding a number of questions from fans on the topic, the 23-year-old addressed the How do you go to the bathroom on the side of a cliff? question. Posting a picture of fellow climber Felipe Camargo, she provides a visual of how men, um, relieve themselves while scaling a mountain.And fear not, this is totally SFW and very PG-rated, thanks to DiGiulians great angle work. You can scroll down without fear of getting in trouble by your boss or drawing strange looks from your co-workers.So you guys keep asking how to go to the bathroom while living on the side of a cliff... If only it were that easy for girls ??! @_felipecamargo_ ?? @redbull #roomwithaviewA photo posted bby Sasha DiGiulian (@sashadigiulian) onJul 27, 2016 at 7:05am PDTAnd while thats pretty hilarious, the duos sleeping conditions during the trek might be even more noteworthy.dddddddddddd Seriously, just check this out -- and whatever you do, DONT LOOK DOWN.Not a bad view to wake up to...#4seasonshotel #thousandstars !! Todo mundo sempre me pergunta como é dormir e acordar pendurado... @sashadigiulian @redbullbr #pedrariscada #planetadosmacacosA video posted by Felipe Camargo (@_felipecamargo_) onJul 27, 2016 at 5:17am PDTSincere apologies to anyone who is afraid of heights. I have a feeling I might have shown you your worst nightmare.See something entertaining on social media that you think deserves to be shared? Let me know on Twitter, @darcymaine_espn. ' ' '