Arshavin: Russia should respect fans more

Russia captain Andrei Arshavin believes his team needs to learn to be more gracious to its fans and can learn from Poland and Ireland. After Russia exited the tournament with a 0-1 defeat to Greece Sunday, the team did not publicly thank the travelling Russian support, provoking controversy in the Russian media. [caption id=“attachment_354179” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Arshavin has 74 caps for Russia and has scored 17 international goals. AP”]  [/caption] After the Polish team were knocked out the same night, they visited the Warsaw fan zone to thank fans for their support, and Ireland held a banner reading “To The Best Supporters in the World” after the last of their three defeats Monday. “We should have applauded our fans, of course,” Arshavin said in televised comments on Russian channel 100 TV, after apologising for his team’s performances. “It shows that we should learn from the other teams not only in terms of playing.” Arshavin has 74 caps for Russia and has scored 17 international goals. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg after failing to hold down a first-team place at Arsenal, and is reportedly keen to make the return to his first club permanent. IANS