Eurosport - Wed, 07 Jan 13:29:00 2009
Arsenal look set to step up their bid to land Andrei Arshavin after Zenit St Petersburg coach Dick Advocaat admitted he was resigned to losing the Russian playmaker.
The 27-year-old has been a target for a number of Europe's top clubs since his excellent displays at Euro 2008, and has long been on the radar of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
However, a stumbling block may well be over the reported £20 million fee and excessive wages package Arshavin currently commands.
Zenit boss Advocaat certainly does not expect to have Arshavin at his disposal for much longer.
"I am aware that Arsenal are interested, but I do not know any more than that. However, I am expecting Arshavin to leave Zenit for another club," the former Rangers boss said.
"He is a top player and he could play for any team and any of the top teams in England, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool.
"Arshavin played well for us last season but he didn't play as well as he can. There is still more to come from him and people will see that."
Advocaat added: "In principle, I have already bought Arshavin's successor, Danny, because I thought Arshavin was going to leave last year. Danny can play in the same position as Arshavin so we won't be disrupted when he goes."
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has some money to spend should he wish to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window, although whether his budget would be enough to cover the package needed to lure a player such as Arshavin to the Emirates Stadium remains to be seen.
The Arsenal manager maintains business will be done only for an "exceptional talent", and indicated being cup-tied for the Champions League knock-out phase would not deter Wenger if it meant signing a quality player.
He said: "I would like to think longer term.
"If the right player comes in, even if he is not available for the Champions League, his class is more important for me."
Comment 89 - 108 of 128
ARSHAVIN IS GREEEEEEEAAAAATTTTTTTT!!!!!!!! Arsenal do need that player.
EErrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, sorry but Hleb was not a Diamond. He was fools gold. Nasri is a much better player, a Diamond in my eyes, just needs alil polish. If we can get a couple more players this window and maybe in the summer then maybe we can be hopefull about next season instead of biting our nails.
post 96 roofingmac spot on any true arsenal fan would stand buy the great man AW
he is @#$%
I hope they sign him then they won't be a threat anymore, hehe
carrillo007_82, the fact you saw Arsh's art only last year on few occasions does not mean the guy was merely lucky. Indeed he has been used to play sparkling football since the first appearance. 27 might be the margin for one prone to injuries or tired of fame. Fortunately for football art lovers that does not apply to him and we shall see more of it!
Btw, I can't help feeling Gleb's style was pretty much similar.
Doubt it!
Yet more foreign players to the detriment of the English game. No the players' faults themselves but where is the new generation of young talented English players playing at top level English clubs?
they r trying there best
they r trying there best
20mil im sure wanger wont spend that money for 1 player...im MU fans but about coment 98 MU spend money for title race...corection pls...SAF spend money for future that wat he did to ronaldo buy him for 16 mil now even if he want to sell ronaldo for 50mil alots of buyer will come n still bid with each other...wanger is a good manager but if he keep stick at creating good youger player n sell it....this year there is no cup for they to win....sry honestly but its true....
Just leave it to Wenger, the most astute and successful manager in the world at signing players.
He found Hleb who was a diamond and left a massive hole not yet filled.
Wenger never spends like Sir Alex or the Chelsea manager of the moment, whatever the pressure from the fans or anyone, he just bides his time and amzes us all yet aagain, you see.
Wenger, did you see how good Nasri was in the #10 position, playing behind V Persie? Huh? He is better there than out on the wing. Give him a chance until Fab gets back. Do it
bla bla bla bla,i dont understand what all the fuss is about...AW has not failed us yet !!!!
Andrei Arshavin is a one hit wonder. He had a very good Euro 2008 but I really don't think he is what Arsenal needs. His best years are already behind.
dercute, is not about how much u spend anymore if u wanna talk worthyness; but about the sacrifices u make for your team. 4 smbd that earns 2500 a year$, 1$ is more so 10 times than for whom makes 250.000$, because that dollar is much more of a sacrifice denying your home family yet another saving 4 future projects, 4 the other are just an passion investment that hadn't had exacly the highest pay...etc,etc,erc! lol
and what do u have with russians? we are a multinational team, Arsenal speaks for the worlk about free labour and country-lifting restrictions, therefor anyone may go anywhere if he is worthy of doing so. I had enough with this peety self-emplyed patriotism, if the man is good, accept him, cheer for him and kiss his assh, as u would kiss any of the elder-worthy team-m8ts of his, no matter what collor has the skin on it.
1)britishhousseinvitation to an neuron-nude way of thinking, no thank u
2)despite abvious lack of "matherial" in Gunnars defence, I think that we must enstrenghteen our midfeeld, like I said we need replacing the fantesy of Hleb from when we played the most beautifull fotball in Europe, both flow and efficiancy, when Hleb had some disputes, Arsenal failed to play and win games, happened last 10-15 games last season, if Arshavin ca 4fill Hleb empty left space, u'll c only overjoyed gunnars every corner of the Earth in less than 2 months
3)Wenger must keep an eye on off-fort players like Bentdner, he and the referee got us out as a better side last season Champions League, I have 1 philosophy "If the man is in a slump, give him time to work it out on the bench, not on the field!"
4)Arshavin would fit at Arsenal like a hot glove on an cold-degenerative eskimosh hand, because gunnars are the single Premiership, maby England club that puts the quality flow of play inproovement, infornt of the physique atributte. And I hope that remains our philosophy 4 ages, evan if we are not winning anything ever again. I want to be able to c another San Ciro last eyar, where we played tag in Milans central defence, or another Arsenal - Porto 4-0 that could easy had been 6-3. I want the joy of game, every game, not a tight team that only overjois at qualifications and trophy liftings, 4-5 times a season. I want our team form last season back, and Arshavin has a quite impressive potential of play in that manner, why not try him out and let the facts speak 4 themselfs, not all day speculation over a cup of valor or a loaf of chance.
go for it
Average player + Great team = Answer somewhere in the middle
NOO! arsenal is so gay they cant take shava! omg pav will be upsett because shava is on the enemy team of tottenham. ahh what will guss hiddink think about this? lol.
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