Premier League - Arshavin leaves Arsenal for Zenit
Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin has sealed a loan move back to former club Zenit St Petersburg until July on the Russian transfer window's deadline day.
The Russian international, 30, has spent most of the current campaign out of form at the Emirates Stadium, drawing the ire of many Arsenal supporters.
And Arshavin confirmed the switch on his official Twitter page @AndrArshavin23, saying: "It's done."
Shortly afterwards the Russian added on his personal website: "I've moved to "Zenit". On loan, will play under number 29. All the details tomorrow, when you wake up."
The Gunners subsequently confirmed the deal, adding: "Everyone at Arsenal wishes Andrey well during his spell with Zenit."
The return to his native country appears to have received manager Arsene Wenger's blessing now that Gervinho has returned from the African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Wenger had appeared to rule out the move earlier in the day in a press conference ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.
Arshavin arrived at the Emirates from Zenit in January 2009, after catching the eye at the 2008 European Championships in Switzerland and Austria.
He made an instant impression at the club, scoring all four goals in a 4-4 draw against Liverpool at Anfield early in his Gunners career, but had since faded, drawing criticism from Arsenal fans for his work rate as the team struggled this season.
Arshavin has played 133 times for Arsenal and scored 30 goals.
Comment 134 - 153 of 153
I think wengar need to do some thing more impressive to put arsenal to a higher stage i mean bringing mature players not only skillful but with physical motive as 4 me arshavin is good player i wish him best with a good spell at home
Comment 146 spot on good young players need experienced older players around them to learn the ropes .
Look what happened at Chelsea yesterday brought back the older players gelled well with the younger ones end result good win for Chelsea.
Austin Cornwall.
Shame...was gonna rip the p1ss out of him today at the Immigrants...
How humiliating.
this is just pressing the self destruct button... arshavin is a great player and needed help FROM GOOD PLAYERS THAT WHERE NEVER THERE!!!! Good midfielders like CESC brought out the best in him as attention was focused on them thus giving him the best chance to perform even if he was being played in a wrong position.....MESSI might still remain messi but he is surrounded by people that know what they are doing i.e alves, iniesta xavi all provide enough distraction for messi to operate... ROSICKY could shoot from outside the box before coming to arsenal, same goes for other players WHOSE GAME HAVE SERIOUSLY DIMINISHED DUE TO PASSING INTO THE NET... whenEVER A FAN COMPLAINS THAT this management is losing grip OTHER IN ARSENE WE TRUST FANS put those fans down for complaining... JUST BECAUSE YOUR EX-GIRLFRIEND USED TO LOVE YOU TO BITS.. doesnt mean you shouldnt say anything when she is about to PULL THE TRIGGER.... THATS THE arsenal story with wenger....
Respect to the jacob comments....from a Spurs supporter..
comment 149. Actually Arshavin was struggling for form with Zenit and Russia before he signed for Arsenal. Hence why no big team come in for him.
he was a gr8 player till he came to arsenal they killed the mans confidence , i do agree wenger is a good manager but hes lost it ,he thought he could keep the gunners at the top by bringing in his kids but its not possible without the experience, the answer would be to buy in 4 or 5 top players which he wont he doesnt want to lose face ,good luck andrey.
If you buy @the rate of $%#12 and sell 4 $%#6 @ least depreciation. Na waoooooooo Gunners.
Please take Bentner back...arrogant, just been done for speeding as well, lazy, talentless...should fit in well back at Arsenal...
leave wenger alone..he is a top top manager!!.in all aspects of club football!!..be real gooners and stop putting the team down..just a miny crises thats all...shame henry had to go back...he bought a touch of class and fun to the club again..support your team people!!!!gooner forever!!!...tottenham yidspur sunday????
Like Rat's Leaving a Sinking Ship!
@ken ... ref Diaby.... well true, but difficult to loan out or sell off somebody who is on the doctor's table. Could be sold as soon as he is fit enough I suppose, but what club wouldn't be dubious about buying somebody who has spent more time on a sick bed than on a football pitch?
At least Arshavin can run around a tiny little bit on the rare occasions he feels like doing so.
But come to think of it, why has the arsenal board not considered selling arsene wenger to make a little more money?
I think Arsene Wenger allowed this loan deal preparatory to his own move to Zenit or the other big spender in Russia. Let's wait and see.
Phil, yer prick.
no 137 answer to your question is in the last two words of your comment
If this was the transfer period then this would make sense. I appreciate he's not 'the' classy player that Arsenal fans was hoping for but he's still a decent enough squad player and what is the point of depleting one of your squad with over ten games still to go? What happens if you have a succesion of injuries?
Drat ! I was looking forward to taking the p1ss out of Arse-shovin on Sunday.....
Only on loan why cant we sell these rubbish players.
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