Former Russian national team midfielder Andrei Arshavin spoke about how the birthday greetings from Arsenal in London were not on his radar at first and only came to his attention after a call. The club had marked his birthday by sharing a highlight reel from his 2009 match against Liverpool and included a moment where he appeared to be involved in a celebratory poker game at Anfield. Later, the club removed the post as Ukrainian supporters voiced their discontent on social channels.
Arshavin recalled that unless someone had reached out early in the morning, the news would not have registered. If there had not been a second call later in the day, he might never have learned that the message had been taken down. The sequence of notifications and the eventual deletion created a small storm behind the scenes, drawing scrutiny from fans and media alike.
In a statement provided to press, Arshavin described the social media response from the national team as telling and clear. He noted that the online community clearly reacted to the situation, underscoring how quickly statements and posts can influence public perception and discussions around a former player connected with a storied club.
During his time with Arsenal from 2009 to 2013, Arshavin played 144 official matches and scored 31 goals, contributing to the club’s campaigns across multiple seasons. His tenure included memorable moments that fans continue to reference when reflecting on that era of Arsenal football.
The Russian national team’s media team previously commented on Arsenal’s decision to remove the birthday greeting. The reply emphasized a belief in the lasting impact of a player’s history and achievements, hinting that actions online can be viewed as part of a larger narrative that follows a player beyond a single moment or post.
The exchange around the post illustrates how social media narratives can outpace official channels. It highlights the tension between content management by football clubs and the expectations of supporters who view such posts as extensions of a player’s career and a club’s memory. In the end, the controversy did not erase Arshavin’s contributions on the field, but it did illuminate how digital messages circulate and influence fans around the world.