Andrey Arshavin turns down big spending Russians fight for place at Emirates
Underperforming Arsenal winger Andrey Arshavin allegedly rejected a deadline day move to Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala as he is looking to earn a new contract at the Emirates.
The Russian’s contract is set to expire in the summer, with many fans willing to pay his travel costs to any club that will take him, but according to his agent Phil Smith, Arshavin’s future lies with Arsène Wenger’s side.
“He still feels he has a lot to do at Arsenal,” he said.
“He wants to win something, fulfil his ambitions and recover his form both for Arsenal and ahead of the European Championships.”
The big-hitting Russian side have made the Russia captain their number-one target in their transfer window, which unlike the British one, is open until the end of February. Anzhi, who can boast the likes of Roberto Carlos and Samuel Eto’o in their squad, did table a former offer for the Russian on deadline day but it was deemed unacceptable by the Arsenal board.
The 30-year-old is firmly out of favour with both the manager and fans at the Emirates Stadium, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain currently making the left-wing position his own.
If a deal can’t be struck between the rich Russian side and the Gunners then Zenit St Petersburg could move for the player as well. Although all this talk of a move looks insignificant if Arshavin’s agent is to be believed.
“The Russia window lasts until February 24th and a guy representing Anzhi has made a tentative approach,” he added.
“But Andrey is not going to talk to the Russians because he doesn’t want to leave and Arsenal don’t want him to go, either.”
