Gunners continue Arshavin chase

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has made the 27-year-old his number one target, but the Barclays Premier League club will not be held to ransom.

It had been reported the two parties were close to an agreement, with Arsenal understood to have returned with an improved £12million offer which also includes add-ons, while Zenit coach Dick Advocaat claimed a move was indeed imminent.

An Arsenal delegation is said to have travelled to St Petersburg in an attempt thrash out the final details of what has become a protracted saga.

However, the Russians - who made it to the Champions League for the first time this season - are demanding a hefty cash down-payment closer to £20million.

Arshavin's representative Dennis Lachter suggested any talk of a done deal was premature.

"We still have time, but unfortunately at the moment there is nothing to say about quick movement or new developments," Lachter told sports news website www.sport.co.uk.

"Definitely money is still the sticking point. I think Zenit is still asking for an unacceptable amount of money, they are still playing very tough."

Whether or not Arsenal will meet the demands of the Russians and break their £13million transfer record remains to be seen - with Wenger playing things cool at the end of last week, suggesting the time it would take for Arshavin to adapt to the English game could well come into play when he considered any deal.