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Ukrainian international Oleg Luzhny was a surprise signing for Arsenal
in the summer of 1999. Arsene Wenger brought in the 31-year-old defender
from Dynamo Kiev, where he had been a first team regular for 10 years,
to provide competition for ageing stars Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Lee
Dixon. Equally at home at either right back or centre half, Luzhny made
his debut as a late substitute for Nwankwo Kanu in a 2-1 win at Derby
County's Pride Park in the season's second game, but he would have to
wait until mid September for his first start, a goalless draw away to
Fiorentina in the UEFA Champions League. His first league start soon
followed, Kanu hitting a late winner at home to Watford, and in total
Luzhny featured 31 times in League and Cup in his first season, but
watched from the bench as an unused substitute as the Gunners lost the
UEFA Cup Final to Galatasaray in Copenhagen on penalties. Luzhny managed
to feature 29 times in the 2000/01 season, despite injury and poor form
disrupting his campaign. He was withdrawn at half time in a 4-0 defeat
to Liverpool in December, and didn't feature again until a 6-1 loss to
Manchester United two months later.
Arsenal lost another final at the
end of the season, but this time Oleg wasn't in the squad that fell to
Michael Owen's late double in the FA Cup Final in Cardiff. The 2001/02
campaign opened with Luzhny out of favour. Lauren had firmly established
himself at right back, with Dixon providing cover, and the
controversial signing of Sol Campbell from rivals Spurs meant that there
was even more competition for places at centre back. However, when the
Ukrainian did manage to get into the team, he didn't do himself any
favours. He was sent off early in a 3-1 defeat at German side Schalke in
the Champions League, and also saw red in a 3-2 win at Blackburn in
January 2002. He did, though, manage to play 25 times in all
competitions, and earned a championship medal as the Gunners won their
last twelve league games to clinch a second title for Wenger. Tony Adams
and Lee Dixon retired that summer, but Lauren was now a virtual ever
present, and the arrival of French centre back Pascal Cygan meant there
was still stiff competition for places.
Another season in and out of the
team followed for Luzhny. He was to feature 24 times, none more famous
than in the FA Cup Final against Southampton in Cardiff in May 2003.
Replacing an injured Campbell at centre back, Luzhny, who knew that this
would be his last game for the club, kept the Saints attackers at bay,
and ended the afternoon with a winners medal courtesy of Robert Pires'
first half strike. He left to join Wolves on a free transfer that
summer, having ended a somewhat disappointing time with the Gunners in
fine style. (Mark Jones)
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