Russian forward Andrei Arshavin has completed his transfer to Arsenal from Zenit St Petersburg, the English Premier League club said.

The move had been awaiting confirmation from the Premier League after the clubs failed to announce an agreement before the transfer window deadline.

“Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that Russian international Andrei Arshavin has joined the Gunners from Zenit St Petersburg on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee,” the club said on its website.

British media said Arshavin, who won the UEFA Cup with Zenit last season and shone in Russia’s run to the Euro 2008 semi-finals, had agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Arshavin, who reportedly cost Arsenal around 15 million pounds ($33.3 million), usually plays the role of second striker but can also operate as an attacking midfielder.

He had been linked with several top clubs since lighting up last year’s European Championship in Austria and Switzerland with his nifty footwork and had even offered to take a pay cut to play abroad.

Arshavin could make his debut for Arsene Wenger’s fifth-placed side in the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

-Reuters

Young Samir is quoted as saying “I’m very happy to become an Arsenal player, it means such a lot to me. This is a very important step in my life as a football player because Arsenal is a massive club. I really hope everything will go well for me here. I will my best for Arsenal and its fans and I am honoured to be part of such a great football club.” – nothing earth shattering there then.

We now wait to see who will be going out of the door – Ade? – Hleb? – both? – I must say it’s looking increasingly on the cards.

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