g.ban's world: January 2009

Wenger - Why I want to sign Andrei Arshavin

Arsène Wenger has finally revealed exactly why he wants to sign Andrei Arshavin.

The Arsenal manager has remained as tight-lipped as possible during his pursuit of the 27-year-old midfielder from Zenit St Petersburg. That has been difficult as the issue has pretty much dominated every press conference during January.

However the dénouement is now close. The transfer window slams shut on Monday. Arsenal’s interest in Arshavin is now common knowledge but only on Friday did Wenger discuss why he was going for the Russian.

``He's a guy who can go past people in the final third,” said the manager. “He can have the key, individually and collectively. “He is an experienced player, 27, a good age and we are a very young side. We will not have Fabregas in the next six to eight weeks, we will not have Walcott in the next five weeks, Rosicky in the next eight weeks.

“You can see with the replay of the FA Cup we have the desire to do well in every competition and one more body could help us.”

Wenger: No Arshavin agreement yet

Arsene Wenger insists no deal has yet been agreed to lure Andrei Arshavin to Arsenal - but remains hopeful of a successful conclusion.

Zenit St Petersburg have made it clear they are willing to sell the wantaway 27-year-old playmaker, at the right price.
However, the Gunners remain resolute in their offer of £12million plus add-ons and, as yet, no further improved bid has been tabled amid reports of Arshavin being ready to slash his wage demands in order to push the move through.
Asked if Arsenal had agreed a fee with Zenit, Wenger declared: "No, and we have not applied for a work permit yet for Arshavin or anybody else.
"Whether we are close or not has little meaning - it does not matter how close you are, what is important is that you agree. At the moment, we have no agreement with anybody for any transfer.
"We are always confident, we try our best and respect our budget. If we can find an agreement, we will do it, if we cannot we will not overspend what we have planned to do."
Wenger, though, indicated there could yet be movement ahead of the midnight deadline on Monday.
The Arsenal manager added: "These kind of stories sometimes develop in the last minute on the final day of the transfer window. It is very difficult to predict.
"I can only give you the way we think on our side. I cannot give you what other people think."