— How did the option of returning to Arsenal arise?
– I’m telling you how it was. One day my wife persuaded me to go for a walk in the evening, suddenly Alexey Vladimirovich Meleshkevich called and offered to return to the team. I didn’t think for a long time. Didn’t hesitate. I know Alexey Vladimirovich well, I know the team and the club. And they don’t refuse such offers.
—Which emotions are more: inspiration or excitement?
— Working earlier, I looked at some things differently. I understood that at certain moments I would have acted differently, I would have tried something different. Now I have this opportunity: to try, to make decisions. I understand that this is a big responsibility. There is definitely more of it. But I’m sure I can handle it.
— Why exactly did these coaches join the headquarters and how will responsibilities be distributed?
“We’ve known everyone for a long time.” Igor Trukhov will be responsible for the midfielders, Andrey Lyasyuk will work with the attack group, and Igor Rozhkov will be responsible for physical training. Well, and goalkeeper coach Igor Kutepov.
– “Headquarters Igor”…
– We already laughed at this. With us you can change your name once. They joked that Andrey needed to change his name.
— What kind of football can we expect from Arsenal in the new season?
— Naturally, you want to see aggressive football, play under pressure, finish the game. When I played football, I set these requirements for myself and fulfilled them. And we will demand the same from the team. Pressure, playing with the ball.
– It will be impossible to run short.
— Whoever doesn’t run enough will sit next to the coaches and watch football.
— What are our immediate plans?
— We are going on January 12 at Vesta. The first two weeks are challenging: we will train in a one-time mode. After which we will come here for a two-week training camp. There is an understanding of what we will do, how we will do it and with whom we will play.
– With whom?
— In the middle of the second week we will have a sparring match with the second squad of Dynamo Minsk, in three days we are planning a match with Isloch, then with BATE, and then a tournament in Brest.
