Wenger admits Arshavin deal only 10 per cent done

The Gunners boss hinted that he was keen for the deal to be done before kick-off against West Ham tomorrow but there remain significant hurdles still to overcome.

He admitted that the transfer was only 10 per cent done and denied earlier reports today that the Russian striker had been granted a work permit by the Home Office.

The Arshavin transfer has become one of the most protracted of the month with Zenit St Petersburg holding out for a fee in excess of £15million and Arsenal unwilling to go above £12m.

Wages are also an issue as the 27-year-old earns more than the highest paid player at Emirates Stadium.

It has led to claim and counter-claim and left Wenger insisiting today: "It is 90 per cent not done, 10 per cent done.

"The percentage does not have a big meaning because the 10 per cent can quickly become the 90 per cent.

"Let's see. Anyway we won't have a long time to wait because very shortly it is the transfer deadline."

When pressed as to whether this weekend was make or break, and if he wanted the deal done before kick-off in tomorrow's match, Wenger replied: "Yes, of course, if it can be done we want it done as quickly as possible.

"You can never rule signings out but I think it is important to concentrate on the players we have.

"We have made serious enquiries but not made any bids."

With the odds seemingly against the transfer taking place, the Arsenal manager said he will put all his efforts into improving the players he has and ensuring their unbeaten run of nine matches continues. That record was kept intact by a late equaliser from Robin Van Persie (below) against Everton on Wednesday. It was the Dutchman's 13th goal of a season that Wenger believes is Van Persie's best at the club.

Wenger said: "The goal Van Persie scored demanded physical and mental concentration.

"He has become a complete team player, involved in a lot of assists and has improved a lot.

"It is a complete transformation from the player who arrived at the club."

The Gunners have now scored 19 of their 67 goals this season after the 80-minute mark, including six in the last six games.

For Wenger, this proves that his team can still challenge for the title despite being five points behind Aston Villa and in fifth place.

He said: "We have shown that we are a team that does not give up and keeps on fighting.

"This team has the mental desire and power to keep going.

"The gap (to Villa) is not a concern. Keeping our unbeaten run going will see us through.

"We are unbeaten in nine, we are stable we just need a bit of luck.

"We are 66-1 for title and I think it is worth a pound or two but at the moment I do not gamble."

Wenger also insisted his team were not in any kind of crisis despite lying out of the Champions League places.

He said: "Since the first day of the season we have to face always the same questions. Why do you not ask these questions to the other teams?

"We have spent less than anybody else, we make money, we make profit and we are trying to do very well.

"We have a very strong team who are very young so why should we always face a catastrophe?

"We have all the positive reasons to believe in our future and I don't share your pessimism about this team.

"If on the last day of the season, we are not in there, I will take all your questions and all my responsibilities."

Wenger also praised Gianfranco Zola for the job he has done at West Ham.

He added: "They are doing extremely well. He had a difficult start but is doing well, he has a style and sticks to it."

Mikael Silvestre misses tomorrow's match with a thigh problem but Emmanuel Eboue is pushing for a start on the right wing.