I need time for Arsenal to see the best of me, admits new boy Arshavin

Andrey Arshavin admits he needs time to adapt to the pace of the Premier League after making his Arsenal debut in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Sunderland.

• The 27-year-old produced several moments of high quality before signs of fatigue prompted his 63rd-minute withdrawal for Carlos Vela.
• It was an encouraging display given his last competitive outing came prior to his £15million switch from Zenit St Petersburg, against Real Madrid in the Champions League in December.
• The playmaker’s appearances in that competition rules him ineligible for Arsenal’s clash against Roma on Tuesday night but in any case Arshavin claims Gunners fans must be patient to see the best of their new No 23.
• “I am doing everything I can to be fully fit as soon as possible,” he said. “If I played on Saturday in the Russian Premier League, I think I would have been okay but the English Premier League is quicker. So I will have to see how long it takes me to be up to speed.”
• Arshavin’s promising performance was one of the few positives to take out of a disappointing Arsenal display, which has left them six points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
• “I enjoyed my debut in front of so many spectators but am disappointed we did not get the result,” added Arshavin. “Sunderland played very defensive.”
• Meanwhile, Arsenal have announced they are freezing season ticket prices for next season. However, fans wishing to attend cup matches beyond Tuesday night’s game against Roma will have to pay extra.
• Season-ticket holders receive seven cup credits but the FA Cup fifth-round clash against Burnley will be the Gunners’ eighth home cup game this season, meaning those fans wishing to attend will have the ticket price added to the amount they must pay for the 2009/10 campaign.