Arsenal or Chelsea, Andrei the choice is yours? London rivals battle for Russian

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Barcelona are poised to sign Alexander Hleb and a source close to Arshavin confirmed the Spaniards will no longer pursue the Zenit St Petersburg forward once a £15million deal with the Gunners for Hleb is completed.

Zenit star: Andrei Arshavin of Russia celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Sweden

That leaves Arsenal, who are believed to have had a £19m offer turned down this week, and Chelsea to fight for the 27-year-old, rated at £24m by his club. Chelsea maintain they are not interested but owner Roman Abramovich is thought to want a Russian star at his club.

Arsenal will need to strengthen should Emmanuel Adebayor leave north London and manager Arsene Wenger is an admirer of Arshavin's talents.