Why did you choose New York?

Arshia Mobarghaei, TEHRAN

I always wanted to live in this town. It has always been a dream, since I was young. In New York it seems like there's no Monday or Saturday or Sunday. The town is always moving. The vibe is great.



It has been said that American soccer is just paid retirement for seasoned European players. Is this why you chose to play across the pond?

Blair Stokes, WESTON, FLA.

No, because retiring is stopping. If I wanted to stop, I would have stopped. I didn't come here for the money. I'm not in need of money. I came here to try to see if I can compete with my team and win titles. That's always been my aim since I started to play.

How have you adjusted to playing in a country where soccer is not the dominant sport?

Antonio Smith, BROOKLYN

It's kind of cool that you can go out and not get attention and not get bothered. [I don't mean that in] a bad way, but it's better to not be on the front page or back page of the newspaper. I will not go back to that for anything in the world. I personally don't really like it.

How would you rate the MLS in comparison with the soccer you played in Europe?

Lahiru Perera, AUCKLAND

It's difficult to compare leagues. One thing I've been happily surprised by is the way the team wants to play football here. I have to say, all the teams that we have played, they wanted to pass the ball and play on the ground. You have a lot of decent players here who could play in Europe.

Do you think the U.S. will ever become a soccer nation?

Antonio Abdalla, SÃO PAULO

Baseball and American football and hockey are all ahead because they have a history. The MLS is kind of new. So hopefully, in time, and with players coming and trying to develop the game, and the U.S. team also doing well--at the last World Cup, they finished above England and created some buzz. You need that history behind the sport.

It has been almost a year since that World Cup qualifying game between France and Ireland. Do you regret the handball?

Andrew Goodwin, DUBLIN

I don't even have to talk about that anymore. It's part of the past. It's also almost a year that [Ireland's] Robbie Keane got a penalty against Georgia that was never a penalty. Ireland won, and nobody cried for Georgia. That's the way the game is sometimes. You're on the line, the ball's going to pass you--unfortunately, it's a bad reflex: you put out your hand. It goes your way sometimes, sometimes it doesn't.

How do you feel about being compared to David Beckham?

Erin Kwon, PORTER RANCH, CALIF.

To be honest, I don't even know why people are comparing me to him. We don't play in the same position. We don't do the same thing on the field. I think the one thing people should have in their mind is that everybody is here to try to make this game progress in the U.S. We're not here to have an individual competition.

What do you think about racism in football?

Sila Eser, IZMIR, TURKEY

I haven't heard anything since I've arrived here. But sometimes, in some places in Europe, when you go away from home, people try to make you lose your mind, or say stuff about what you believe in, your color. But I have to say, it did improve a lot in Europe.

Do you ever regret having left your English club, Arsenal?

Zhao Yan, CHENGDU, CHINA

No. I would have regretted it if I didn't give a title or any joy to the fans. That's a lack of respect, when you don't give something back. I stayed eight years at Arsenal. Do I miss Arsenal? That's another question. I will always miss Arsenal.

What is your favorite memory of your time with Arsenal?

Laurie Laker, COLORADO SPRINGS

For me, just the pleasure of wearing that jersey and stepping on the field, and just representing Arsenal. Every time was amazing for me.

1. From tokarenko200
Where do live right now?
A.A: Until October 4 in the country of Byron and Shakespeare. On October 4 I come back to the homeland of Pushkin and Dostoevsky.

2. From zyxel777
Andrey, please give me some tips how to improve my start-up speed!
AA It’s better to ask some athletics coaches. They have special exercises that can improve the results. Jumps, for example.

3. From LeBiKa
Hello Andrey,I’m your biggest fan, but I’m also a fan of David Beckham! I have always had this question: I wonder what they think about each other? Unfortunately, I can’t ask Beckham, but I hope that you’ll respond. =) Lena
A.A: The paradox lies in the fact that we don’t think about each other 

4. From Moonray
Hi, Andrey! Well, how can I make my dad be at least a little bit like you?? Sometimes I really hate him. How can I make him quit drinking and stop behaving so rude and aggressively?? It’s not like he drinks a lot but when he does….he can get at anybody. Of course, you're not a psychologist, but answer me something...
A.A.: In my opinion, he is like me in a way 

5. From 23arshavin
Andrey, what’s your favorite car?
A.A.: I have no favorites so far. If there is an ad contract, then I’ll have a favorite.

6. From 233333
Hello Andrey! I admire your way of playing footballl ..What do you like besssides footballl?) And there is one more question: are you considering moving to some other club in the future? Are there going to be changes in the Russian national team?
A.A: FotbaLLL is on the first place. I like teNNNis beSSSides fotbaLLL 

7. From cmb1023
What is your favorite number?
A.A.: Do you mean a circus number or may be a telephone or a car number? I prefer a bank card’s number.

8. From denisik97
What goals have you set in front of yourself this season?
A.A.: To play and to win.

9. From Baluyka
Tell me your Skype, please.
A.A.: Sorry, I won’t.

10. From Varlok
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11. From 199916
Good evening, Andrey, I love the way you play football and really want you to come to Koverino village this winter, it’s in the Nizhny Novgorod region.
A.A.: We have a championship at this time.

12. From Agent47rus
Andrey, hello! My name is Andrey, I'm 28 years old. Please answer: Do you like sightseeing and outdoor recreation? If so, our family invites you to Vyborg for holidays! We know that you spend your holidays in St. Petersburg, so maybe you’ll find a day or two to visit us (I understand that this year you won’t manage to come). Good luck!
A.A: I have been to Vyborg many times. I went up to the top of your famous tower several times. I guess it used to be a chapel. Yes, exactly: "The Clock Tower". So I know your border town.

13. From Vitjok
Andrey, what do think about visiting Estonia one more time? Did you enjoy your time in Tallinn? Do you think it’s possible to get into professional football from a small town in a small country?
A.A: Why not? Tallinn is next to Petersburg. Moreover, the legendary Arsenal’s Estonian goalkeeper Mart Poom lives in Estonia. We were on good terms in Arsenal. He even gave me some advice regarding Arsenal.

14. From urban1994
Andrey, please promise that you’ll score for the national team this time and start scoring more! I saw you scoring only twice when I watched live matches on TV. Come on, pull yourself together and start scoring goals ...
A.A.: Only 2 goals? I have to ask you to stop watching live matches with my participation, please. You’d better watch the repeats.

15. From ZLAJAKUVALDA
Good afternoon. After the coach of Tottenhem decided to buy a donkey, the British press picked this up: "This donkey is not the first one Redknapp has signed. Harry has already got one on two legs–Roman Pavlyuchenko," - The Sun.
A.A.: I think this story has soon been forgotten and only in Russia it has been discussed for so long.

16. From Sleepokov
Andrey, do you think you have already reached your peak form or there is still something to work on?
A.A.: If I make mistakes, it means that I still have something to work on.

17. From dimaanna
Hello Andrey! Can you give me your Skype?
A.A.: You can download this program from internet 

18. From dimaanna
Hello, Andrey! Please tell me if you’ll ever come to Syzran?
A.A.: To play? No.

19. From Esteto
Hi, Andrey! I am an ardent fan of Arsenal, and I’m interested in everything about the club. I have a few questions, and if it’s not too difficult, could you please answer them. 1. Does the club think about strengthening the attacking line-up, as Van Persie and Chamakh are not enough for the whole season, and I'm sorry, but I don’t consider Bentner as a real threat? 2. I am very interested in the professional football career as a football manager or an agent. Is it possible to get into this sphere in our country? Are there any educational programs? I will watch every Arsenal match and wait for the big victories. Good luck to you and your family!
A.A.: I think Chamakh proved to be a good footballer. The season is long and there will be enough place for everybody on the pitch.
2. You have to know sports law, economics and management. It’s hard to say whether it’s possible to get into this business without assistance…

20. From serega75
Where can I buy a pair of Nike boots just like yours online?
A.A.: Nike, Rockland.

21. From Queen
Tell me Andrey, what do you think human happiness is? I guess everyone is different ... huh? What is happiness for you?
A.A.: My kids.

22. From Queen
Andrey, you always say that you don’t lie and lying is bad. Tell me what would you do if a person you love lied to you ... : (I've no idea what to do, it’s difficult to break up with him but I can’t take it no longer, advise me something as a wise man
A.A.: I do not know your situation. You should decide for yourself whether you want to be together or not.

23. From Soffka
I’ve recently came across your picture in the 9th grade chemistry textbook (Chemistry, Grade 9, written by Gabrielian O.C., paragraph 16, p.95) It was a big surprise. They use your picture to study chemical elements in the human body. Do you feel flattered?
A.A: Really?