The Gunners are cutting it fine if they’re to land a player that they’ve been chasing since last summer, possibly even longer given Arsene Wenger’s wide network of scouts. It had appeared yesterday as though they were on the verge of bringing some much-needed creativity to the Arsenal set-up, although the player has set the record straight on his personal website.
The Guardian report that Andrei Arshavin is expecting to become an Arsenal player very soon, with an announcement expected later today. There appears to be all manner of complications when it has come to trying to snare the Russian, although the midfielder has confirmed that a deal should be ratified between the North London club and Zenit St Petersburg.
Andrei Arshavin has revealed on his personal website the details of the deal to join Arsenal that should be announced later today.
It is believed all the relevant complex documentation is in place at the Premier League, but the transfer has yet to be formally ratified because of administration delays caused by the snow that crippled London’s transport networks yesterday.
Asked if he was now an Arsenal player, the Russian international said: “I think so. The negotiations came to a close and there will be details [on Tuesday].
“Now I can say only one thing – that if I play for Arsenal, it will be at No23.”
Arsenal fans, are you delighted to hear this news, or should the club have moved for a player like this much earlier? Do you think that Arshavin should have been one of several signings made by the club in January, and is this a last desperate throw of the dice by Wenger to try and secure Champions League football next term? Failure to do so could see a number of high-profile players leave the Emirates, including Robin Van Persie.