Despite a game in half-tones against Slovenia yesterday in his own admission, Russia skipper and Arsenal forward Andrei Arshavin (pictured in the center) still managed to slightly improve his overall FTBL score thanks to Russia’s overall victory.

Arshavin was watched very closely by the Slovenes, and the result was a lack of goal opportunities as Russia’s best player was more or less shut down up front. He nonetheless earned 9 rating points in the FTBL system to boost his tally to 157.91 points and consolidate his position in the Top 23 of the English Premier League. His plank to beat in the return leg of the playoff will amount to 10 rating points.

To remain in the prestigious Top 23 of the Premier League Arshavin will have to make sure Russia win game No 2in Slovenia. But to break into the World Top 23, our list of the world’s top 23 players, for the first time in his career Arshavin will have to score at least a goal, in addition to a Russia victory.