Andrei Arshavin says the prospect of playing under Arsene Wenger was one of many reasons why he had his heart set on a move to Arsenal.
The Russian playmaker finally completed his move to Emirates Stadium on Tuesday after the Gunners agreed a package believed to be around £17million with his club Zenit St Petersburg.
Arshavin had been linked with a move to Barcelona after he shot to fame following his outstanding performances during Euro 2008, but the Russian said he was happy to join the Gunners, thanks partly due to Wenger.
Arshavin told Arsenal TV: "I moved because I like the Arsenal style, Wenger as a coach and I like some of their players."
The club are thought to have been locked in negotiations with Zenit over the switch since the transfer window re-opened.
"I followed each game and from the moment when I met Arsene Wenger," he added. "He told me every time I talked to him, 'I want you to come to Arsenal'. He had confidence in me."
The transfer was the most protracted of the window and the club could not announce the transfer until 24 hours after the deadline.
Arshavin, who has played 41 times for his country, therefore admitted he was glad to put the controversy around his transfer behind him.
"It was a very hard few days for me but now it doesn't matter because I'm a Gunner, it's great," he said.
Having played for Zenit in this year's Champions League, Arshavin will not be able to play for the Gunners in the competition.
Wenger hopes the Russian will kickstart the club's campaign for qualification to the Champions League next term, however.
"We are delighted to have signed Andrei Arshavin, he is a player I have admired for a long time," the Frenchman said. "He is a versatile player with great experience, who will add real quality to our squad.
"Andrei is an exciting impact player with a huge amount of ability and has been an influential force with both Zenit St Petersburg and the Russian national team in recent seasons."
Arshavin, who will wear the number 23 shirt, is unlikely to make his debut in Sunday's north-London derby because the Russian domestic season finished in November.
He believes it will take him up to two weeks to return to full fitness but insisted he will have no problems adapting to the English game.
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis, meanwhile, said the Arsenal board had always backed Wenger's pursuit of the star, who was a member of Zenit's 2008 UEFA Cup-winning side.
"Andrei was identified by Arsene as a quality creative player that would add something special to this youthful but talented squad," Gazidis said.
"The board has always backed the manager with his transfer targets and we are delighted to welcome Andrei to the club where he will help us to challenge for honours this season."
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