World Cup 2010 qualifier Group Four - Wales v Russia Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Wednesday, 9 September KO: 1945 BST Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, live text commentary and score updates online and score updates on BBC Radio 5 Live. Live on Sky Sports Extra
Ramsey and Arshavin are both in their second season at Arsenal
Aaron Ramsey hopes "role model" Andrey Arshavin is fit to face Wales on Wednesday so the Welshman can win the battle of the Arsenal playmakers.
Arshavin missed Russia's 3-0 win over Liechtenstein on Saturday with a thigh injury but travelled to Wales, trained on Monday and is likely to be fit.
"He's a great role model for younger people and definitely someone I can learn from in training," said Ramsey.
Roman Pavlyuchenko scored two penalties in their 3-0 win in St Petersburg.
Russian captain Arshavin hopes to be fit for the 2010 World Cup qualifier while Chelsea's new £18m winger Yuri Zhirkov, who also did not feature on the weekend, is unlikely to feature as he is struggling to recover from a knee injury.
Dynamo Moscow centre-back Denis Kolodin is definitely out of the Cardiff clash with a hamstring problem while Zenit Saint Petersburg midfielder Igor Denisov will also miss Wednesday's Wales match due to suspension.
Denisov picked up his second caution of the campaign in Saturday's victory over Liechtenstein which consolidated their second place in Group Three, a point behind leaders Germany who host Azerbaijan in Hanover on Wednesday.
Arshavin suffered a groin tear in Arsenal's 2-1 defeat at Manchester United last weekend and the 28-year-old was ironically replaced by Ramsey in the 81st minute.
But he trained on Monday and said: "I have a good chance to play in Cardiff."
While Russia boss Guys Hiddink added: "Hopefully with some rest and intensive treatment we could get him ready for the Wales match."
Ramsey hopes his club team-mate will be fit as the pupil hopes to get one over his Arsenal master.
"I don't know his situation but he came off against Man Utd with a slight groin injury.
"I don't know if he'll risk it. I picked up a slight knee knock in the same game and he was laughing in the changing room afterwards saying at least I wouldn't get to play against Russia!
"But Arshavin is a great player. He is probably one of the smallest players to play in the Premiership but he's one of the best.
"He is very good on the ball, technically gifted, can score goals from anywhere and has great vision.
"He's a role model for kids from all age groups to idolise."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?