Arsenal and Zenit have agreed the terms of Andrey Arshavin’s loan till the end of the season. The deal was officially announced two minutes before the end of the transfer window in Russia late on Friday.
“Friday was a really difficult day for me. It was all decided in the nick of time. It seems my transfers can’t be fixed otherwise,” the Russian international told the Sport Express paper.
“I’ve missed playing regularly very much, but I very much want to help Zenit win the domestic league. I will do my best,” he added.
The Russian returns to Zenit following a disappointing season in the English Premier League, which saw the 30-year-old cease to be one of Arsene Wenger’s first-choice forwards at Arsenal.
Arshavin could have moved southward to Russian Premier League fatcats Anzhi, but preferred the safer option with the club where he spent nine years before moving to Arsenal in 2009.
In Arshavin, Zenit have found a good substitute for its injured leader, Danny, and he can expect to get more playing practice before Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, although he won’t be able to help the team in the Champions League according to UEFA rules.
Zenit’s official Twitter page greeted Arshavin with the warm comment “Welcome home!”
Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers first-choice defender Christopher Samba has joined Anzhi for a reported £7.5 million. The Congolese international signed a three-year contract with the Dagestani side late on Friday.