Arshavin creativity hailed by Wenger

The 29-year-old admits he has had “some good games and some bad, nothing unusual” this season.

While it has certainly not been the same impact which followed his arrival from Zenit St Petersburg in a 15m deal during January 2009, Wenger feels the diminutive attacker has contributed plenty to the team, with five goals so far.

“If you look at the stats, he is the player who has created more chances than everybody else in the Premier League this season, so his numbers are quite surprising to people who think he has not done so well,” Wenger said.

“I believe that since the start of the season in the Premier League, he has been better at creating chances than anyone else.”

Arsenal look set to come up against their former striker Emmanuel Adebayor, the Togolese having netted a hat-trick in City’s Europa League win over Polish outfit Lech Poznan.

Adebayor made the headlines for the wrong reasons last season, both for his over-the-top goal celebration in the 4-2 victory and then stamping on Robin van Persie’s face, which earned him a three-match ban.

Wenger, however, insists there is no sense of ill-feeling toward the former Arsenal favourite, sold for 25m during the summer of 2009.