Article by Aurelian Botezatu – published Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 11:37 / Updated Tuesday, September 30, 2025 11:46
Andrei Arșin (44 years old), former Russian international and legend of Arsenalspoke to EFE news agency before the Champions League match between Kairat Almaty and real madrid. He said it was always a joy for him when the “galactics” lose.
Arșavin's last club was Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan, so it's not surprising to be present at the Champions League match against Real Madrid. The former Russian international, with 75 selections, is a well -known supporter of Barcelona.
“Kairat I hope to win. Every defeat of Real Madrid is a joy for my heart.”said Arșin for the EFE agency.
Would not have played in Madrid nor for all the money in the world
The brand writes that in 2011 there were rumors that Arșin would have been transferred from Arsenal to Real Madrid: “I would not play in Madrid either for all the money in the world,” the Russian said, adding that Real Madrid is a taboo subject and that he has long been supporter of Barcelona.
Arșavin, 44 years old, is currently working in his native country, in Zenit, as an executive assistant. As a player, his biggest success was winning the UEFA Cup with Zenit in 2008.
Andrei Arșin: “The coach believed more in me than I thought”
He remembered about the time spent at Almaty: “” When I signed for Kairat, coach Borodyuk believed in me more than I believed in me. ” The former Zenit and Arsenal player scored 30 goals and offered 37 decisive passes in 108 appearances for Kairat, between 2016 and 2018.
Arșavin won a cup (2017) and a supercuss (2017), as did Anatoly Tymoshchuk in his only season in Kazakhstan, in 2015-16. However, both had to be content to watch the Champions League on television, during periods in which they wore Kairat's shirt.
