Arsenal still waiting on Arshavin

5.20pm: Is it any surprise that the on-and-off saga of Andrei Arshavin's move to Arsenal has carried on beyond the transfer deadline?

The paperwork is done at Arsenal's end and deal is still expected to go through, but the transfer is still to be rubber stamped and the gaggle of journalists and hopeful fans outside the Emirates were still shivering well after the 5pm deadline passed. The reason for the delay was that Zenit St Petersburg claim they are due a payment from the player himself - the reason for which is unclear.

Despite the unusual state of affairs Zenit coach Dick Advocaat has been speaking about the player as if he had definitely left the club, albeit to aim a barb at Arsenal, saying they had payed too little for his services.

Arsenal, on the other hand, have kept their own counsel - simply saying that they and Zenit had agreed a fee for the player, Arshavin had agreed terms with Arsenal and that he had then passed a medical.

The state of limbo could be seen as a fitting epitaph to the transfer window and the entire Arshavin chase.

transfer talk: andrei arshavin

FIRST POSTED FEBRUARY 2, 2009