Arsenal’s sidelined striker has been given the green light to play for his country in their World Cup qualifier against Cameroon despite being out of action for the Gunners for nearly two months with a hamstring injury.

 

The newly-crowned African Footballer of the Year has not played since February 8^th and is raring to go. "I'm happy to be home and the whole country is waiting for me to play," he said, "I have had a discussion with the boss and he's happy for me to play."

The match itself is being played in Ghana due to the ban imposed on Togo fowling rioting at a match two year previous.

Closer to home, Andrei Arshavin has been tipped as a potential Golden Boot winner…….by none other than Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink. The 27-year old played for Russia under Hiddink’s charge and the Dutchman believes Arshavin could become the first ever Arsenal player and the first Russian since Lev Yashin in 1963 to claim the title of Europe’s Top Goal-scorer when he become fully accustomed to the English game.

"One should show a stable high level of football for a long time to claim the Ballon d’Or trophy," Hiddink said, "and I am sure that Andrei Arshavin is able to do so.”