Arshavin seals Arsenal switch

Arsenal FC have completed the signing of Andrei Arshavin from FC Zenit St. Petersburg for an undisclosed fee.

Delayed announcement
The London club said the 27-year-old Russian international forward signed a "long-term contract" on Monday but the deal was only made official today after the English Premier League confirmed all the necessary documents had been completed before the winter transfer deadline. Arshavin, who will wear the No23 shirt, said: "I am so happy to be joining Arsenal. They are one of the leading football clubs in the world, with a group of fantastic young players and a great manager."

Inspiration
Arshavin shot to prominence last season during Zenit's journey to the UEFA Cup final and was the inspiration behind his side's 2-0 win against Rangers FC in Manchester. Despite being banned for the opening two games of UEFA EURO 2008™, he played a key role in Russia's run to the semi-finals, scoring in their 2-0 win against Sweden that clinched a quarter-final spot where he added another in a 3-1 victory against the Netherlands.

Ambitious
Despite interest from some of Europe's top clubs, Arshavin returned to Zenit and completed the Premier-Liga campaign as well as playing in all six of the club's UEFA Champions League Group H matches to help earn his side a chance of defending their UEFA Cup crown. Arshavin, who has scored 14 times in 41 internationals for Russia, has spent his entire career at Zenit since breaking into the first team on 2 August 2000.

Early test
Arshavin will have little time to settle as Arsène Wenger's team look to make up lost ground in the race for the fourth UEFA Champions League berth. The Gunners are fifth following Saturday's goalless draw with West Ham United FC, five points behind Aston Villa FC and Chelsea FC. Arsenal play north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur FC on Sunday where Arshavin could come up against Russia team-mate Roman Pavlyuchenko who joined Spurs from FC Spartak Moskva at the end of August.