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Arshavin finally completes Arsenal switch
James Olley3 Feb 2009
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin.
The Gunners agreed a deal for the player with his former club, Zenit St Petersburg, just minutes before yesterday's 5pm transfer deadline and had to wait until today for the move to be ratified by the Premier League.
That has now been forthcoming and the 27-year-old has joined for an undisclosed fee, signing what the north Londoners call a "long-term" contract.
Arsenal were forced to delay naming Arshavin as their player until late this afternoon as it was one of a number of transfers awaiting approval by the Premier League board because of administrative delays caused by the severe snow which crippled London's transport networks yesterday.
However, when asked if he was an Arsenal player, the Russian international told his personal website this morning: "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 number 23."
Zenit's official website also maintained the deal had been completed, although they credited a Russian news agency for the story.
"Zenit, Arsenal and Andrei Arshavin have concluded talks in London," the report on www.fc-zenit.ru read.
"An FC Zenit source has informed Fontanka that the talks were successful, and Andrei Arshavin is moving to Arsenal. The signed documents have already been sent to the English Football Association [Premier League].
"A source close to the discussions has told Fontanka that the terms of the deal are financially suitable to Zenit.
"The St Petersburg club will receive £16.5million - £15m for the transfer of the player and £1.5m compensation for breaking a long-term contract.
"In addition there is a further 500,000 Euros [£450,000] in bonuses which Arshavin has not yet received which will not be paid and instead make up part of the transfer sum.
"The overall sum of the transfer is around US Dollars 24m [£16.9m]."
Should those figures be correct, the deal would represent a transfer record for the Gunners.
Arshavin, who is reported to have been prepared to take a pay cut to join Arsenal, jetted into London yesterday for a medical to complete the deal, and is understood to have now returned to Russia to complete some personal arrangements before starting work at his new club.
Wenger has long been an admirer of the 41-cap Russia international, who shot to prominence at Euro 2008.
While Arshavin could make his debut in Sunday's north London derby at Tottenham, given the Russian domestic season finished in November, the player is more likely to be allowed some time to build up full match fitness.
Arsenal currently lie five points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa after successive Barclays Premier League draws against Everton and West Ham.
Reader views (13)
what a total hypocrite the gooners and i did not see it arse wenger are...6 months ago hesaid arshavin was a lightweight who could not cut it in the prem,as did most gooner fans who wrote here said also..now, however he is a wonderful talent,versatile and experienced OH AND WON ZENIT THE REALLY STRONG RSSIAN LEAGUE ON HIS OWN...where did all this come from,,,sure he said the same about jeffers and reyes..(bargains the were)..he cant play champion league this season,he wont next season too, if so it will be villa if they carry on as they are,champion league should be champion league not who came also rans,a trophy is a trophy boys,as for other clubs not wanting him how come Real spent nearly 40 mill on other players in the window,Barca did not need or want him as they are flying and currently the best side in all aspects in Europe right now,The GOONERS CLEARLY NEED TO SORT OUT THEIR PAPER MACHE DEFENCE FIRST..i`ll bet any gooner you will have another trophyless year,but never mind you might be happy being fourth and scrape in to the CHAMPIONS league .. i suppose Diarra was no good but worth 20 million for REAL.. THAT WAS GOOD BIZ
- TOM, uxbridge., 03/02/2009 21:08
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WHY ARE ARSENAL FANS SO CONCERNED ABOUT SPURS SURELY THEIR MAIN RIVALS AT THE MOMENT ARE ASTON VILLA IF THEY WANT TO TRY AND GET 4TH PLACE
- J Windsor, LONDON ENGLAND, 03/02/2009 17:24
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To all the deluded Spurs fans out there, Arsahvin didn’t just have 2 good games in the Euro’s, he helped Zenit win the Russian league for the 1st time in years and win the UEFA Cup, beating a very good Bayern side to progress to the final where he won man of the match.
Also, the reason none of the big sides are going for him right now (but did in the Summer) is that none of them have any money. Real Madrid just bought Faubert for christ sake! Spurs could have probably bought him, but it seems they prefer to spend their money re-buying players they just sold. Maybe you can bring back Jol as well, although he may not be good enough to take you to the next level, only 5th place 2 seasons in a row!
- Andrew, London, UK, 03/02/2009 16:56
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By 3.15 on Sunday Arsenal will be 8 points behind Villa, Robbie Keane will score (as he always does against the Gooners) and maybe, just maybe poor, deluded Wenger will concede the title for yet another year. And Rob, Aston Villa will only get stronger under Martin O'Neil...
- Paul, birmingham, 03/02/2009 16:47
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Poor deluded Tottenham fans ! Enjoying your relegation battle, Worthless Cup run, UEFA cup run & re-signing the same old players! Never even been in the Champiuons League or ever won the League in my lifetime! Palacios or Arshavin? Emirates or White Hart Lane? Rednapp or Wenger? Shall I continue or point taken?
- Rob Gooner, North London, 03/02/2009 16:22
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What's going on ! Why have a transfer deadline.
Can't wait for the " One rule for them and another for us " comments from the likes of Sir Fergy.
- Glennda, Berkhamsted UK, 03/02/2009 16:09
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many a gooner were saying last year when Spurs were after him that he was a waste of money and a lightweight who could not speak the lingo..he only needs to learn french anyhow..spurs went as far as 15 mill for him now as he is a bit older and had a poor season this year he is amazing player..he cant play in champion league this season,hopefully villa will get 4th and then the goons will be in the what they call it Losers cup.and if the rejig of the CHAMPION LEAGUE goes ahead,which should be for only the top 2 at least as it is now just a glorified cup comp with loads of tv money..it i hard to see whn the gooners will win a trophy again..oh yeah..but theu do have a fab new staium,topclass training facilities,a great manager and a wonderful team of amazing kids who have won nothing there..so all is fine...but never mind they might hve arshavin..if the f.a give it the green light
- One Flew Over Seamans Head.Again, hanger lane, 03/02/2009 15:37
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he has not as yet had the ok according to the premier league website as they are still debating it..you seem to know an awful lot bout Palacios too,if he signed for thegooners i suppose he wouldbe a hell of a player...yet last summer a number of teams were loking at arshavin like Barca,Real,Inter and Bayern AND even Spurs,odd then that in this window not one club other than the gooners went for him,so he cant be what clubs are looking for now,if he was that AMAZING i think a bigger club would have snapped him up..he is known to be very volatile and fall out with teammates should be a good mate for Gallas then
- Jay Evs, potters bar, 03/02/2009 15:28
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isn`t rob gooner great,a couple of weeks ago he said that he doubted wenger was after arshavin and tat he was not what the gooners needed,all of a sudden he is an amazing player,who is the missing piece in a very ordinary gooners side,just because he had 2 good games in the euros then went missing big time versus spain,he is the next best thing.also the gooners needto qualify for the Champions league as they have a large rate on their stadium to pay.we will see if arshavin is greta value in a few months ..thake your red googles off and stop shoving your beek into the spurs biz,funny now too, that as you are struggling too qualify fo the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE,u are now calling it the uefa cup and not the losers cup,and as from next season its the Europa Cup not Uefa
- Tom, uxbridge., 03/02/2009 15:07
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Im looking forward to seeing this excellent player. Superb signing & at a sensible price, unlike our North London neighbours who paid £14 million for the very average Wilson Palacios! Paul - even if we fail to qualify for the champions league, we wont be meeting your lot in the UEFA cup as there is no way on earth you will qualify! You wont beat Man Utd in the League cup final, you wont win the UEFA cup & you wont finish high enough in the Premiership.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 03/02/2009 13:01
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Strange how Gooners fans are now soooh excited about Arshavin going to the Emirates. Last summer, when Spurs were in for him they they were all posting snide comments about how 'lightweight' he was and how he wouldn't be able to cope with the demands of the Premiership. Just shows you how desperate they are. I sincerely hope that Villa grab 4th place. Still you can join us in the UEFA Cup after we beat Man utd in the League Cup Final! More silverware for Spurs and, what will that be...four or five years without winning anything for the Gooners?
- Paul, Birmingham, England, 03/02/2009 12:10
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If anybody doubts Arshavin´s abilities......go to Youtube and check out Arshavin 10. This guy is pretty spectacular and is going to be a big hit at the Emirates
- Jaime, Madrid, Spain, 03/02/2009 11:55
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I have no sympathy at all if this does not got through. They have had the whole of January to sort this out.
- Mike, St Albans, 03/02/2009 11:51
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