Putin had to be Vlad all over to give Andrey's Arsenal blessing

New Arsenal signing Andrey Arshavin has friends in high places.

His departure from Zenit St Petersburg was not only overseen by senior executives from power giant Gazprom - who sponsor the Russian club - but Prime Minister Vladimir Putin also took a close personal interest.

Putin, who grew up in St Petersburg, even took time out to meet with Arshavin in the week prior to the 27-year-old's medical to give his blessing to the deal.

It has also emerged that part of the delay in completing the £15m transfer - which extended beyond the transfer deadline - was caused by a faulty fax machine at Zenit.

Bringing down the Guus house

Guus Hiddink may make history during his time at Chelsea, but he no will longer have a personal museum in which to record it.

Authorities in the Dutchman's hometown of Varsseveld have decided to demolish the building which housed the Guuseum' — a collection of items devoted to the 62-year-old.

Opened in 2002 by a South Korean company hoping to cash in on Hiddink's popularity as their national coach, it attracted high visitor numbers for two years before attendances fell off in 2005 leading to its closure. A residential building will now be built in its place.

Price freeze may be cold comfort

With an unfortunate sense of timing, Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon this week wrote to the club's corporate season-ticket holders announcing a price freeze for next season.

“I trust that you have enjoyed the first half of the campaign,” wrote Kenyon. “It is certainly shaping up to be an exciting climax.”

So exciting perhaps that Chelsea are not willing to take any risks with their sales strategy. The price freeze for supporters with hospitality packages only applies until a 31 March deadline — by which time the Blues' participation in the Champions League may still be in the balance. Costs increase by between £150 and £450 after that date.

Crooner Webb kops a load of flak

Conspiracy theories are all the rage among Arsenal and Man United fans after the revelation — not denied by referees' bosses — that top officials Howard Webb and Mike Dean were singing “You'll Never Walk Alone” in a Spanish hotel bar. Internet message boards have been reassessing key decisions which may have favoured Liverpool — how long before Arsene Wenger and Fergie follow suit?

Orient fans fear Hearn proposal

Leyton Orient fans have voiced concerns over the club's long-term future after chairman Barry Hearn revealed plans to buy the lease to Brisbane Road for £6million.

Under the proposed deal, £3.4m would be used to clear debts leaving £2.6m “working capital” to be invested in the club. Hearn's Matchroom Sports would then give Orient a 20-year lease, rent-free for the first five years, then £180,000 for the next five with two further reviews.

Orient currently pay a peppercorn rent and have more than 990 years left on their lease from Waltham Forest Council. Leyton Orient Fans' Trust are worried about the removal of the ownership link between the club and ground.

Trust chairman Doug Harper said: “This proposal calls into question the future of our club.” But Hearn, who met with fans' representatives on Tuesday, said: “The club would benefit from a 50 per cent share of any profit in the sale of the ground and it would leave Orient debt free.”