Arsenal close in on Andrei Arshavin

Andrei Arshavin’s purported move to Arsenal is likely to go ahead, with Arsene Wenger confirming in his programme notes that the club were looking to bring an experienced and creative midfielder to the Emirates in January. With his midfield decimated by injury, Wenger wrote: ‘Cesc [Fabregas] is a long way from playing again, so are Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott, and these are three creative players that we count on at the start of the season. So what we might need is someone who can create a little spark.’ After Zenit St. Petersburg were eliminated from the Champions League, 27-year-old Arshavin is eager to move to one of Europe’s top footballing countries, and Zenit are willing to sell him for £20 million.

Transfer Talk: Arsenal

FIRST POSTED DECEMBER 29, 2008