Arshavin escapes initiation song... for now

It is common practice at many clubs for new signings to be made to stand up and sing a song in front of the rest of his team-mates, and at Arsenal you have two choices according to the diminutive Russian.

“The club has a tradition where every rookie after dinner before a game should stand on a chair and do something," he said. "You can sing a song, or read poetry.

“I did not have to do it prior to the Sunderland game as the team’s new doctor [Gary O’Driscoll, replacing Ian Beasley who has taken up a role within the England national setup] had to undergo the procedure.”

Arshavin was finally handed his Gunners debut at the weekend, making a surprise start against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium and going close to opening his account with his new side twice in the first half.

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Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.