Arsenal’s Arshavin called me ‘monkey’ - Laryea Kingston

Ghanaian international Laryea Kingston has revealed that during his playing times with Russian-side Locomotiv Moscow, he was receiving racist attacks from former Zenith St. Petersburg player and now Arsenal’s midfielder Andrei Arshavin.

According to Laryea Kingston, Arshavin, who is also the captain of the Russian national team, called him a “monkey three times” on the field of play.

“You know Arsenal’s Arshavin…he called me a monkey when I was at Locomotiv Moscow and he (Arshavin) plays for Zenith St. Petersburg,” Laryea Kingston told Metro TV’s soccer academy team when asked of his challenges during playing times in Europe.

Laryea Kingston recalled that his fellow countryman Baffour Gyan (senior brother of striker Asamoah Gyan) had to “fight” back some supporters during his playing times with Russian premier club side Dynamo Moscow.

In Russia, Kingston played for Krylia Sovetov Samara. He helped the team place third in the Russian Premier League in his first season.

Russians are well known for their racist abuse on African players. Nigerian playmaker Peter Odemwingie suffered similar attacks while he played there.