The 27-year-old is expected to travel to London this week to finalise terms, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger confident of landing the Russia star after tortuous negotiations.
The Frenchman entertained Arshavin at Arsenal's training ground before Christmas and the forward is already thought to have virtually agreed personal terms, despite claims from Zenit last night that his wage demands were still a stumbling block.
The Russian club's board held a lengthy meeting that went on until late into the evening before emerging to announce that they had reached an agreement with the north London club.
Zenit said in a statement: 'Negotiations between Zenit and Arsenal on the transfer of Andrei Arshavin are continuing.
'The clubs have reached an agreement in principle on terms that both sides feel reflect the market value of the player.
'At the moment, the main obstacle in the implementation of the deal are the personal requirements of Andrei Arshavin.
'Andrei Arshavin does not intend to reduce the demands of his personal contract, thus hindering the negotiation process and calling into question all the agreements reached between the clubs.'It is unlikely that Arsenal and the player would be so far apart as Lachter has been sanctioned by the Zenit to talk directly to clubs since the Russian season finished in November.
The Euro 2008 star is desperate to test himself at a higher level and is aware that no other club have made an acceptable offer for his services this month.
Earlier this month he told Sportsmail he hoped the clubs would reach an agreement and, while waiting for a decision this week, he indicated that Zenit's valuation was the only barrier to a move.
'I'm waiting for a final decision,' he said. 'The talks don't depend on me. I haven't been in touch with the club management, so I haven't heard a clear "yes" or "no" yet.'
Arshavin is set to leave Zenit's training camp in Dubai en route to London, though may have to return to Russia first to secure a visa.
He played no part in a friendly on Saturday against the Uzbekistan national team and Zenit coach Dick Advocaat last night suggested that his departure was imminent.
'I think there will be news on Tuesday,' said the former Rangers boss. 'I am constantly in touch with (club general director) Maxim Mitrofanov and I look forward to the latest news.' Arsenal refused to comment.
Labels: Andy Murray, Arshavin, Australian Open
When Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd was an 18-year-old coming through the youth system at Arsenal, his reaction to being substituted in the final of the Premier League Youth Cup immediately cost him his future at the club. He pulled off his shirt and tossed it at the coaches in the dugout. He was, literally, sent to Coventry, to restart his career.
In the hotly competitive world of youth football, where the most promising players are hunted by a pack of ravenous agents, scouts, and managers, it is rare to find the perfect combination of talent and temperament. Terry Burton, Cardiff's assistant manager, remembers the moment he clapped eyes on a boy called Aaron Ramsey, who immediately impressed on both counts.
"He had just left school and was only two weeks into his career and we drafted him into the team for a friendly at Merthyr Tydfil. He was excellent. He had this maturity and vision above his years." Burton got on the phone to the manager, Dave Jones, and told him Ramsey had to be included in the first-team squad for their pre-season trip to Portugal. The boy never looked back. His first full season, which began at the age of 16, ended with an appearance in the FA Cup final last May.
Burton was the one to tip Arsene Wenger off about this special kid at Ninian Park. His connections go back to his time as an apprentice at Highbury, where he went on to coach and help bring through players such as Tony Adams.
"I have been 20 years away from the Arsenal and I never really knocked on the door to recommend someone," he says. "But I did with Aaron. I spoke to Arsene just before they signed him. I was sitting with him in his office and said, 'I'd really like to find something negative to say but I can't.'" The worst he could come up with was that he was exceptionally quiet -- surprisingly so for a lad nicknamed Rambo who wrote on his social networking webpage that he was scared of "nuffin".
As Burton explains: "Having come across a lot of London boys who obviously have a different type of personality, you didn't really know Aaron was about the place. Not on the pitch, though. As a character, that's where he comes to life."
Burton was also important in swinging Ramsey's decision away from Old Trafford and towards north London. "Manchester United were in, just after we had played in the FA Cup final. I said to Aaron, 'I don't know what is going to happen but if you get the chance, consider Arsenal because of the way they play and the way you play.'"
Burton is sure there will be no resentment from Cardiff's vociferous fans this afternoon and says they are all very proud of him and how he is pushing on. It is easy to detect the improvements that come from working with, and against, faster technicians. "It is not very often that young players move up and get straight into the team," Burton says, smiling. "He did that at Cardiff and again with Arsenal. He'll be thinking the game is easy."
Not quite. Even though Wenger describes Ramsey as "ahead of schedule", he still has to take on board some valuable lessons. While he has caught the eye with some of his cameo appearances this season, on other occasions he has been guilty of preferring the flash over the safe option. Nobody doubts that he will soon learn.
The rate he is progressing, his home town of Caerphilly will soon no longer be famous just for producing cheese and Tommy Cooper.
Adapted from The Independent
Aaronnnnnn. (: Well, so today Arsenal is playing against his ex-club. And he actually snubbed Manchester United for Arsenal, even though he grew up as a Man United fan. And the funny thing was that Man Utd thought they had secured his deal and they actually posted in their official site that he was a Man Utd player. However, he eventually chose Arsenal. AHAHH. It is nice to get that edge over Man Utd (: Victory against arch rivals always tastes sweet, regardless of how big or small it is (:
Anyway, I shall be watching the match tonight. So, no worries. Gasquet lost ): And Jankovic and Ivanovic too. Woah! HAHA. And Nadal thrashed the shit out of Haas..like seriously. I won't be surprised at ALL if Nadal wins the Australian Open. Andy Murray seems like a very good contender as well (: Gilles Simon and Gael Monfils are playing against each other in Fourth Round ): Sad man..I wanted both of them to be in the Quarter Finals ): Tsonga got through the 4th round as well (: And Amelie lost..it is kind of hard to remember the fact that she was world number one just two years ago. I guess her standard has deteriorated. Anyway, shall keep up with Aussie Open. It is turning out to be an exciting tournament indeed! (:
All right. i just cleaned my room. And I threw away ALL my sec4 textbooks and worksheets. My room is much more emptier now. Oh well, it will soon be full after JC starts. LOL. And I would like to thank EVERYONE who have me cards and notes..cause I have them and I am keeping them safely. Like ten years down the road, when you read these notes, it helps you recall all the moments you shared with your loved ones in high school and stuff. Time flies man.
Labels: Aaron Ramsey, Australian Open, Sceneries