Andrey Arshavin believes he has become more productive but less exhilarating since joining Arsenal. The 29-year-old has been something of an enigma for the Gunners since his £15m arrival from Zenit in January 2009.

Capable of moments of sheer genius - including a memorable four-goal salvo at Liverpool - Arshavin has also been a great source of frustration for Gunners fans as he often drifts in and out of matches. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels much of that malaise was down to a combination of bitter disappointment at Russia missing out on qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and a string of niggling injuries.

Arshavin has impressed during the opening three matches of the new Premier League season, netting two goals, including the winner at Blackburn Rovers last weekend. He has admitted he is puzzled by his inconsistencies.

"The year and a half in England has significantly changed me," Arshavin told Russian newspaper Sport-Express. "I became calmer, more professional, and spend more time with my family.

The year and a half in England has significantly changed me. My style has altered - it is more effective but less sparkling.
Andrey Arshavin

"As for football I can say that my style has also altered - it is more effective but less sparkling. I don't remember when was the last time I scored a really beautiful goal.

"It is frustrating. I tried to analyse this, but can find no answers. It is likely that my injuries last year had an effect, because on three occasions I was out for a month, but it is feeble to talk about injuries."

Arsenal currently sit second in the table, two points behind defending champions Chelsea, who have opened with three straight victories. Much was made of the way Wenger's side came through a test of character up at Ewood Park before the international break. With their UEFA Champions League campaign kicking off later this month, there will be plenty more challenges ahead before they visit Stamford Bridge on 3 October for a showdown with their title rivals.

Defensive defects
The Gunners have never been short on attacking firepower, with rejuvenated England international Theo Walcott having scored four goals already. However, the defence has been less than watertight in recent seasons, with new arrivals Sebastien Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny looking to make sure there is no repeat of the 41 league goals conceded last term.

Centre-back Thomas Vermaelen is in no doubt where Arsenal's championship challenge must begin. "It sounds silly, but as a defender you are happier after a 6-0 win with the clean sheet than if you have scored one goal but you concede two," the Belgian international told Arsenal TV Online.

"Maybe for some people they are not happy to hear that, but for me the most important thing is to defend and to defend as a team as well, and then we will get further as a team. If we defend first then we can win games. After that we will see."

Arsenal lost forward Robin van Persie to an ankle problem at Ewood Park, but hope the Netherlands international, who missed six months of the last term through injury, will only be sidelined for a couple of weeks. Attacking midfielder Samir Nasri could make a quicker-than-expected return from his minor knee operation, perhaps even in time to face Bolton Wanderers on 11 September.

However, it remains to be seen when Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner will fully recover from his niggling groin problem, which has sidelined him since the FIFA World Cup.