“I collected 33 reports on him.” Why Zakharyan and Royal Society were chosen
Polina Kuimova August 22, 2023, 16:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
First interview with a Russian in San Sebastián.
Arsen Zakharyan settles in Spain: he has already attended a match, visited a training session, posed with fans and spoken to the press. He described his first days in San Sebastián in detail in Gipuzkoa News, he did not miss the detail that after the game with Celta he saw the game between Dinamo and CSKA on his phone.
“In the morning he passed the appropriate medical examination at the Gipuzkoa polyclinic without problems, and then he went to the Anoeta office, where he signed a contract and visited the club’s media,” reports the publication. – After 3:00 p.m., Zakharyan left the stadium completely unnoticed by the fans who were queuing in the hope of getting the last places for the match against Celta. They then approached him to ask for his autograph and a photograph. Arsène was very shy and quiet, since he was obviously a little scared by everything that was happening, but he did not spare a smile for everyone who approached him.
What the Spanish wrote immediately after the announcement of Zakharyan’s transfer:
“Zakharyan can become a ‘king’, like Karpin.” In Spain, they are inspired by the transfer of Russian
Arsen himself admitted in an interview with Okko Sport that the first day in the new place was difficult, but the next day it was already better: “I trained, got to know the team. All the guys are nice, they did not wait, they all helped. Mikel Oyarzabal helped personally during the training. Very happy to be here!”
At the press conference, Zakharyan was asked questions about the atmosphere at the match, which he managed to attend, and about the recommendations of Valery Karpin and Dmitry Khokhlov.
“As soon as I heard about the offer from Real Sociedad, I immediately decided that I should move here,” he told reporters. – I have always followed Spanish football, and Real Sociedad has always been at the top for me. I saw what kind of football the team plays: I like the style of play, the scheme, how the coach sees football. Real Sociedad hooked me with how they really wanted to see me at the club. I did not expect that the team would receive me so well: I just went to the base, the staff and the players all greeted me immediately and helped me.
I know that Valery Karpin and Dmitry Khokhlov played here and they made a great contribution to the team. We are currently working with Valery Georgievich on the Russian national team, but we haven’t had a chance to talk to him about Real Sociedad yet. We contacted Dmitry Valerievich, he told me that he would tell me any place in San Sebastian.
What did Khokhlov advise Zakharyan? He told us!
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“Arsen will be recognized everywhere.” Valuable advice for Zakharyan from Khokhlov
The atmosphere in the match against Celta was great: everyone was jumping and shouting. It was great. Sitting on the podium, however, is much more difficult than playing on the field. I really wanted to go out there, help the team, prove myself. I still don’t know when I’ll be able to play. I train with the team, but it all depends on the documents.
How do I qualify as a soccer player? It is not for me to praise and evaluate myself, but I think I am the type of footballer who likes to play attack, score and benefit the team.
Arsen Zakharyan
Photo: realsociedad.eus
The journalists asked the president of Real Sociedad, Joaquín Aperribay, why they had to look for reinforcements already in Russia and why Zakharyan is so good.
“We have been following it since 2019,” Aperribay replied. – We have 33 player reports. We closely follow his game and in the summer of 2022 we ask about his availability. When we realized that Silva would not play, we realized that this is the player we need.” The president also addressed Zakharyan, assuring him of the club’s full support and adding that he was happy to see him in San Sebastián.
The good thing about Zakharyan’s new club:
