Premier League - Wenger: Arshavin will move

Eurosport - Wed, 25 Jun 12:19:00 2008

Arsene Wenger believes Russia's Euro 2008 hero Andrei Arshavin will move to England or Italy - and not Spain, as the player himself prefers.

FOOTBALL Arshavin the Great Russia - mother - 0

The magical midfielder has proved an electrifying presence in Austria and Switzerland as his unfancied team have progressed to Thursday's semi-final against Spain in Vienna.

His impressive performances against Sweden and the Netherlands have come after the player inspired Zenit St Petersburg to their UEFA Cup final triumph over Rangers in Manchester.

Such fantastic play has led the midfield dynamo to become one of the hottest properties in world football.

Arshavin himself has spoken of how joining Barcelona - who he has supported all his life - would be a 'dream'.

But the canny Wenger - who has proved himself a great judge in the transfer market - believes the Russian will be bound for the Premier League or Serie A.

He said: "What is quite amazing is that Russia is the only country where a player like Arshavin suddenly comes to the world's attention at the age of 27. That is not possible anywhere else.

"I wish I'd seen him at 21 or 22. I predict he will come to the Premier League, or go to a big club in Italy. The way he plays is something very special."

He added: "He could be tempted by wanting to play in the best league, of course. And it could happen. Would you be surprised? If you ask me do I think he will be in the Premier League? I would say yes."

But Wenger admitted he does not know the situation at Zenit, or whether the player wishes to stay with the Russian side.

"Maybe he'll want to stay because they play in the Champions League," added the Frenchman.

Team Talk / Eurosport

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  1. arsenal is never serious
    and d coach is a joker
    he loves dem cheap
    2008/2009 epl will end dis way:man utd,liverpool,chelsea,arsenal

    From emeka ofoegbu, on Sat 28 Jun 10:14PM

  2. to imuratofff
    August 29.

    From mennen44, on Thu 26 Jun 6:26PM

  3. arsenal is not a serious club the love cheap players.
    Frank

    From frank m, on Thu 26 Jun 10:26AM

  4. arshavin will suit 4 liverpool...

    From naufal afif h, on Thu 26 Jun 9:07AM

  5. when play Zenit vs Manchester?

    From imuratofff, on Thu 26 Jun 6:08AM

  6. Mr Arsene Wenger should know that we need such talented players like arshavin to strengthen our team in order to win laurels next season. Up gunners!

    Morr Frm Nigeria

    From morrison a, on Wed 25 Jun 10:01PM

  7. Too much do about nothing. Arshavin may be a flash in a pan. Just like a flower rising in the morning and going down in the evening. There are a lot of rising stars from this year Euro2008, the likes of David Silva, David Villa, Andrei Arshavin etc. Arsene Wenger is on hand with his cheque book to pick some stars.

    From alphonso, on Wed 25 Jun 6:17PM

  8. Wenger's pride and policy of not signing the like of Ashervin will make Arsenal to lag behind the four big teams. he should re-consider signing Arhservin despite his age.
    George Burton(Uganda Gulu)

    From oyikgob, on Wed 25 Jun 5:11PM

  9. Oh No! Wenger has dropped the hint that Arsenal will not go for him because of his age. At 27, a footballer cannot be Wengers fresh transfer priority. We wish him well elsewhere because he's an Arsenal type of player. I will support whichever club he goes to play for next season

    From UMAR A, on Wed 25 Jun 4:37PM

  10. shuold go to arsenal

    From edgarmugerwa, on Wed 25 Jun 4:05PM

  11. i think arshavin should go to liverpool.they need a player like him mixing up with gerrard and torres.now that would bring us the league!!

    From Moad A, on Wed 25 Jun 12:44PM

  12. ljhljkh

    From nick.compton, on Wed 25 Jun 12:37PM

  13. Leszek A. maybe it's you who has not had lessons in school, you can't even spell
    S(c)hevchenko ;)

    From blasos1983, on Wed 25 Jun 12:11PM

  14. Arsene Wenger should sign Arshavin.There is no doubt that if he wants to play in England, he will choose from the big four.I do not see him going to Chelsea, because Ballack, Essien and Lampard would be no pushovers.Besides the style of Chelsea's football would not suit him.If he comes to Emirates he will be as big as Dennis Berkghamp Sydney Manchester UK

    From skhle, on Wed 25 Jun 12:10PM

  15. jim r. Schevchenko is Ukrainian not Russian. That is a big difference. The point is CSKA Moscow 3 years ago have won a final of UEFA CUP, Zenit St Petersburg won it month ago. It these 2 teams have played half of the actual Russia squad. Somehow I can't believe that none of these players couldn't be spotted by any scouts. Maybe they have never had geography at school and don't know where Russia or any former soviet republics are.

    From Leszek A, on Wed 25 Jun 11:32AM

  16. If Arshavin moves, I would love his likely destination to be "The Emirates". Ask me Why? Simply put: His Technique suites the Arsenal style of play. Thereupon I would wish Alex Hleb goodbye to his beloved and much-talked about move outside "The Emirates". I think the rumors surrounding his transfer will soon start to unsettle the Arsenal camp should it drag on even after the euros. His Boots will more than become filled with the arrivals of Samir Nasri and Andrei Arshavin. But a note of warning must go to Monsieur Wenger, "forget about all the hype surrounding Andrei Arshavin as to his market price, Arshavin should not cost us more than 10m". Afterall, he's to be a newcomer into the EPL; i.e. if he comes. Every newcomer to the EPL takes time to settle in; ask C. Ronaldo, D. Drogba, E. Adebayor, T. Henry et al. That being said I wish Russia a successful campaign at the euros although they may meet a brickwall in Spain, which happens to be one of my favourites 4rm the outset of the tournament. Bravo Arshavin! Sammy 4rm Nigeria. Up Gunners!

    From samuel l, on Wed 25 Jun 11:25AM

  17. i hope to see ashavin in chelsea;s lineup this season
    from zico nigeria

    From Isaac O, on Wed 25 Jun 11:19AM

  18. Why wasn't Arshavin discovered since?
    Players from Africa are very skillfull, strong and VERY CHEAP...
    Players from South America are very skillfull, technically sound and A BIT CHEAP...
    Players from the Eastern bloc countries are very skillfull and are NOT CHEAP...
    Most big clubs know this, and since they are able to maintain appreciable levels of success with African and South American players who they will end up selling for huge profits, why bother?
    Arshavin is actually a rarity - Very skillfull, technically good player from Eastern bloc who will be an asset to any big club that buys him...but he will not come cheap!

    From ravencpi, on Wed 25 Jun 11:17AM

  19. sam did you forget about schevchenko (chelsea), mind you they forget about him as well

    From jim r, on Wed 25 Jun 11:07AM

  20. yaw b i dont disagree but what the hell are u talking about, it has got nothing to do with the above article!!!

    From mikee.b1983, on Wed 25 Jun 11:07AM
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