Dmitry Bulykin / Photo: © Denis Bushkovsky / Match TV
Former Russian national team player Dmitry Bulykin said that midfielder Arsen Zakharyan needs to be patient to wait for the chance to prove himself in the Spanish team Real Sociedad.
On Tuesday, Zakharyan made his debut for the San Sebastian club in the Champions League, entering the field in the 76th minute in the match with Benfica (1:0).
— Do you follow Arsen Zakharyan’s career in Spain?
“I don’t follow closely, but he went there and he’s already doing well.” Of course, he needs time to adapt to those conditions and requirements. And you need to wait for your chance, he is a good footballer, he must prove himself.
— Isn’t it confusing that he has so few effective actions? It is clear that he does not have many minutes played.
– The fact of the matter is that he still has few minutes played. And then, he is not a striker, but a midfielder. The main thing is to play well. If he plays well, the coaches will be happy with him, he will be included in the main team. And this is a big deal.
— Zakharyan was the leader of Dynamo, and now he sits on the bench. Is it the level of the leagues that affects it or is it more an adaptation?
— And the level of leagues is different, and adaptation. Now he has a change of scenery, a way out of his comfort zone – it takes time. A different championship, a different climate, a different life, and the football players are much more skilled. But, unfortunately, Zakharyan doesn’t have much time to adapt. The coach, even during training, demands the maximum from the players. Arsen needs to train very seriously and wait for his chance.
— Are there any forecasts for his near future? Let’s say for this season.
“The winter break in the championship will be very important for him, when he can adapt to the team and train well. After the winter break, you can express yourself. And the end of the season will be a very important period for him. You have to prove yourself in the team, otherwise you can sit on the bench for a long time,” KP quotes Bulykin as saying.
This season, 20-year-old Zakharyan took part in five matches of the Spanish championship and did not score any effective actions.
