The Russian club are set to tell Arsenal today the reduced figure they would accept for Arshavin, with the two initially £8million apart on respective valuations and the Gunners holding firm on a £12m offer.
But Maxim Mitrofanov, general director of Zenit, said: “I am sure that we will finalise this deal in the transfer window. I am sure we will have a compromise with Arsenal. And I hope that everything will be fine.”
Mitrofanov said: “Every player has the possibility to buy out his contract after a certain period, it’s in FIFA regulations. We are not worried. We are sure that in this transfer window we close this question.”
Arshavin said: “I see Arsenal as my team of the future. I think joining them would be a very good option for me. The club, the coach and the Premier League, they all fit my criteria to test myself at the highest level.”
Several Premier League sides suffered early exits and Wenger, who has won the trophy four times with the Gunners, believes that the quality throughout the leagues has improved.
Wenger said: “Look at all the results in the third round, and look again at Derby’s win over Manchester United in the Carling Cup semi-final.
“The difference between the Championship and the Premier League has been reduced.
“Why? Because, in the Premier League you have so many foreign players of top, top quality that some very good English players have gone down to the Championship, and that closes the gap.
“What makes football great is the unpredictability of what will happen on the pitch, and as well the fact that you know that a fifth-tier team can bother a Premier League side.
“That’s why anything is possible on the day.
“An upset is a mixture of commitment, mental preparation, the ground levelling the technical differences and the support of the crowd. That all comes together to make anything possible.”
The Arsenal manager, speaking in the February issue of the Official Arsenal Magazine, out now, added: “The experience I have had so far in the FA Cup is that the Championship sides are usually more difficult to play against than many Premier League sides.
“Cardiff v Arsenal is a typical cup tie, because they have a special stadium with a special atmosphere.
Alexander Hleb believes Andrei Arshavin will be a success if he moves to Arsenal.
Arsenal are currently in negotiations with Zenit St Petersburg over a move for Arshavin as Arsene Wenger looks to boost his injury-hit squad.
And Belarus international Hleb, who left The Gunners for Barcelona in the summer, feels Arshavin has enough quality to be an instant hit at Emirates Stadium.
“Wenger always shows that he believes in his players,” he told Sport Express.
“It gives the players great energy and helps in any situation.
“I am sure that if Andrei joins Arsenal, it will work out well. There, he would be an even bigger star.
“He needs to train well and be himself. Arshavin is a top-class footballer and I think he would fit into Arsenal’s plans.
“However, it would be important for him to learn English.”
Adapted from Setanta Sports
Okay..I wonder why Hleb MUST comment on this Arshavin-Arsenal thing. Maybe he still cares about Arsenal...just maybe. And I heard that Hleb is struggling at Barcelona (a little) as he does not know Catalan or Spanish..wish he stayed. Anyway, no point discussing about that. And yea..hopefully he is right on Arshavin. And it would be great if he is right indeed...and that is if the deal actually goes through.
I read that Arsenal has offered 26Jan as a deadline for Zenit to take it or leave it. I mean..I can understand why Arsenal don't want to pay too much for Arshavin as they don't know how he would adapt to the Premier League and stuff...a gamble has to be made in that sense. And it also like recession time now..and offering a lucrative deal is actually quite good. Well, if Zenit want to get greedy, maybe they won't be able to get as much money as they want now. And that would happen if Arshavin decides to buy-out his contract. And Arshavin's agent called Zenit "barbaric" for being adamant about this entire deal and wanting 20million from it. Well, we will see how it goes. If they isn't any news by 26Jan, we know that Arshavin is not coming to Arsenal..as of now at least. Lets just wait and see what happens. And meanwhile, a FA Cup game in Wales against Cardiff City (Aaron Ramsey's ex-club) is coming up.
And I just read that Manchester City have now made Thierry Henry their top target. Okay, first of all, I have no idea if it is true because this might just be a rumour, for all you know. But if it is true, I shall just say "Get a life, please!"
I mean..they have failed to sign Kaka..and now they are going after Henry. I mean..I understand that they want to become a big club and stuff. But I don't think that happens overnight! Not just using cash! I mean..I would say, they should rather concentrate on doing well with their current team then get greedy and covet for the world's best. Like seriously.
Anyway, I am feeling really sleepy now and I am going to sleep. Don't ask me how long..I shall go into 'hibernation mode'. LOL. I was watching all the old songs' music videos. Like 'Cry Me a River', 'No Promises', 'If thats okay with you' etc etc. It is astonishing how time flies so fast. /:
All right. Off now (:
BUH-BYEE!
<333
Victoria Concordia Crescit,
Labels: Arsenal-Arshavin transfer