Arshavin signals a break in tradition

Although negotiations dragged on for virtually the entire transfer window, the 27-year-old's £15million arrival at Emirates Stadium yesterday was a significant step forward in the club's ability to land their top targets.

Talks had reached an impasse nearly two weeks ago. Arsenal had set their limit at £12m plus £3m in add-ons and it was only when the realisation finally struck Zenit St Petersburg officials that they could lose their prize asset for a fraction of that price in the summer - or nothing if he bought out his contract in November - that the offer was accepted.

Personal terms were a relative formality given Arshavin's willingness to take a pay cut from £100,000 a week to £70,000.

But, as the deal appeared to be done, Zenit demanded Arshavin's £2m signing-on fee as a retaliation for the Russian recently negotiating a loyalty bonus only to break his contract months later.

The transfer teetered on the brink of collapse before it is thought Arshavin gave up half that fee to secure his move.

While Samir Nasri's switch from Marseille was completed more easily last summer, the Gunners missed out on the signing of Xabi Alonso to leave the team lightweight in central midfield and it represents a failure that has arguably undermined their season.

A source close to the board told Standard Sport that the failure to agree a fee with Liverpool for Alonso was down to the absence of a figure in the mould of David Dein, Gazidis's predecessor who left the club in acrimonious circumstances in April 2007.

"If Dein had been at the club, Alonso would probably be an Arsenal player now," said the source.

"He wanted to join but Arsene Wenger needed someone like Dein to convince him to spend the extra £2m it required to seal the deal.

"Wenger is so conscious of the club's financial plan he doesn't act like other bosses and as competent as [director] Ken Friar is, it isn't the same as having Dein involved. The Arshavin deal shows things are going in the right direction."

While Friar's strengths lie more as an administrator, Gazidis had boasted of his ability to navigate player transfers successfully by drawing on his experience as Major League Soccer's deputy commissioner.

Friar is understood to have played a major role in the negotiations with increasing support from Gazidis as he settles into his new role. "I've spent the last 14 years working with bosses on transfers and contracts," said Gazidis.

"I have a lot of experience in that area. But I will never be scouting or selecting players. That is the job of the manager."

So just how will Arshavin improve the Gunners? The Russia international is an intelligent footballer who has the technical ability to thrive in Arsenal's traditionally free-flowing football.

He is perhaps at his most effective when played in the hole behind a main striker in the same position as Robin van Persie but with different strengths. Arshavin is more capable of beating defenders with his close control and dribbling and is an excellent alternative should the Dutchman be unavailable or out of form.

Van Persie and Arshavin as a forward line would appear, on paper at least, not to be overtly effective given their tendency to occupy the same space.

When Wenger has everyone in his current squad available, his new signing could be deployed in central midfield alongside captain Cesc Fabregas.

But the Frenchman voiced concerns during Euro 2008 that Arshavin would be too lightweight for the Premier League and while he has palpably changed his mind, there may still be lingering doubts about throwing him into Arsenal's engine room. That leaves the possibility of a role as a winger, where he played on occasion for Zenit.

His arrival also marks a significant willingness on Wenger's part to spend big money on a player at his peak - he turns 28 in May - rather than investing in potential as is the club's traditional transfer policy. That shift will not have had anything to do with Gazidis, but the 44-year-old - along with Alisher Usmanov - has helped broker a deal that will deflect much of the criticism Wenger has suffered for a perceived over-reliance on his young players.

"Sometimes the sheer quality of our young players is underestimated," Gazidis said. "And I believe Arsene Wenger's teams have played and will continue to play some of the most entertaining football in the world."

That entertainment will only be further enhanced if Arshavin can recreate his Euro 2008 form at Emirates. The fact he now has the chance may just be Gazidis's first notable contribution.