Guys,
Since everybody's going ga-ga over Arshavin due to his recent performances, let me tell y'all some facts about him (I'm Russian).
I remember the photo of Shava found in this article. (Shava is the nickname the fans gave him).
He gained my respect straight away because I too am a Barcelona fan

The photo dates back to 2001. That was Shava's breakthrough year.
(In Russia, just like in Italy, they have a habit of not giving the young players many chances, therefore Shava was introduced to the first team at the age of 20.)
He was amazing back then, and the country had high expectations of him for WC2002: he was supposed to be the playmaker.
Howeva, the coach Romantsev (legendary drunk) sipped too much vodka on the date of WC squad submission to FIFA and selected the wrong Zenit player to the squad: instead of Arshavin he selected Kerzhakov (ex-Sevilla), who hardly played that year!!! (Romantsev's assistant later admitted this lapse).
After the World Cup, Russian football went into crisis but Shava was always making the headlines in the internal championship.
Then, in 2003, a Czech coach took over at Zenith (Petrzhela) and started playing Shava out of position: instead of the traditional attacking midfield/ supporting striker (left, center) role, he moved him deep into the left midfield.
Petrzhela was dismissed after 2006 season; those 3+ years were a waste for him as Shava couldn't display his true colours in his position.
Dick Advocaat took over and moved Shava back into his usual position. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
Guess who's the guy embracing Shava in the foto. It's KERZHAKOV. They were best friends back then and at one stage even dedicated their goals to one another (which mistakenly lead ppl 2 believe they were lovers).
Do I think he can make it in Barsa? Hard to tell, however he's been playing at World-class level for the past two years.
Maybe today's game against Spain will provide some answers.
Personally I still believe that David SILVA is the best answer for the left-wing position and HE should be Barsa's priority #1!
-Alex