Andrei Arshavin to Arsenal, the Russian View

Artem Chobanian

As the winter transfer window approached there were many transfer sagas that demanded our attention. Recently a great many of us passed by the news of Beckham, Robinho, and Keane in the expectation of one more possible deal – Andrei Arshavin’s move to Arsenal. Many were indeed shocked by the last minute signing, but those who were looking forward to the deal were rejoicing when the Russian signed on the dotted line. Among the latter is Andrei Arshavin himself, but why did the move happen, and take so long? And how was it seen in Russia?

Originally, when Arshavin was just becoming a prominent player for Zenit St. Petersburg, he wanted to move to a top class team and Zenit’s bosses had not rejected the idea out of hand but made it clear to Arshavin that he would only leave for a very big fee.

Both sides’ wishes for a move to happen gained further intensity after Arshavin’s excellent performances with Zenit in their UEFA Cup winning run, and later his Euro 2008 magic in Guus Hiddink’s superb Russia side. With all the fuss around the player and even major rumours about a possible Anatoly Tymoschuk transfer to Bayern Munich it is hard to believe that Zenit’s bosses were tearing up trees searching for a chance to earn good money by selling Arshavin. Yet that is exactly what they were doing.

But Arshavin was not lucky, and neither were Zenit’s owners. It turned out most of Europe’s biggest clubs had got their squads well organised and did not need Arshavin. With the financial crisis looming clubs wanted to play it safe and not splash out on Arshavin. This was the time when both sides – the footballer and Zenit – became extremely frustrated, as both clearly wanted a move to happen, and knew Arshavin’s value was at its peak. The summer transfer period ended and no club made an offer.

The problem was, as many pundits in Russia said, with the standard of Arshavin. If he wasn’t rated quite so highly some clubs like Tottenham or Aston Villa could have afforded him. But again, neither Arshavin nor the club wanted him to move to any other team aside from a European powerhouse. That’s why in one of his interviews, when asked about a possible move abroad and his preferences, Arshavin said that he’d like to play for Zenit, but a Zenit standard club in Europe, one that was one of the best in their respective league. For Arshavin’s dreams to come true he had to wait for the winter transfer window, and cross his fingers.

Some unexpected changes in the any future transfer deal came when Zenit started their Champions League campaign this season. Arshavin had been bitterly disappointed nobody wanted him and that meant, in his eyes, that he had to prove himself at the highest level again. After so much effort the midfielder had to show that his performances in the Euros and the season before were no fluke.

Meanwhile, Zenit’s results in the Champions League were not what almost everybody expected. Of course, the team had got the ‘group of death’ but for the player that was not an excuse. He had to constantly prove he was the best player in Russian football. The final group matches against Real Madrid and Juventus showed just that, Arshavin was back! After such a disappointing and disheartening summer Arshavin had found the inner strength to shine once again.

From that moment on, the formula, Arshavin + top-club = transfer saga, began.

A real hunt started from the interest that Barcelona showed. But the original money offered did not satisfy Zenit’s owners and negotiations ended almost immediately. Arshavin didn’t move to Real Madrid although the player was rumoured to want that very much, and then, quite out of the blue, Arsenal appeared on the horizon. Zenit and Arshavin seized the opportunity and began a "transfer dance" in front of Arsene Wenger. Both the "dance" and necessity pushed the Arsenal coach to give the Russian serious consideration.

And the bargain began. Arsenal and Wenger realised quite quickly what Zenit and Arshavin wanted. The desire of the both to sell was so obvious, especially after fiasco in the summer, and sly Arsene was a true leader in the negotiations. Now, when all know the sums and terms that were agreed so that Arshavin could complete the transfer, there’s no doubt Arsenal got the better of the deal. First, in terms of money. If Wenger had wanted to sign the Russian in summer, the club would have paid a sum much larger than they have ended up paying. Second, the London side really needed and need such player as Arshavin. With Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott missing many games through injury, and Robin van Persie plus Samir Nasri showing a lack of attacking imagination, Wenger will be happy he purchased Arshavin. If the ex-Zenit star plays to the level he can of course.

Now the saga is over only those who are familiar with Russian football can say that Arshavin has got what he wanted and that will give him the determination to repay the faith Arsenal have shown in him. There is real hope in Eastern Europe that the Russian will become another Slavic star at Arsenal after Hleb left the club. Perhaps Arshavin’s creativity will prove to be a substitute for Hleb’s brilliant role as a director in the midfield.

However, not all Russian pundits, club managers, and celebrities who support Zenit and the Russian Premier League are happy with the transfer. Even understanding that Arshavin can become more than just a professional in London, not everybody approves of his move.

Sergei Vedeneev, a former Zenit player:

It will be hard to find and raise another star like Andrei. To buy somebody of his level and rank will cost Zenit as much as they got for Arshavin, so what’s the point of the deal then? I want the players like Arshavin, the bosses and the fans to realise that in Europe there are many footballers like Andrei, but in Russia he was one. Well, I guess Arsenal will gain more than Zenit from that transfer. Wenger really needs a masterful forward with fast legs and who is quick-witted. With Anatoly Tymoschuk to move to Bayern Munich this summer I doubt Zenit will ever find equal replacements…

Sergei Dmitriev, a former Zenit player:

Arshavin is not Zidane, so Zenit will find somebody instead of him. But the point is – when? Andrei moved to London, Tymoschuk will move to Munich, and there’s a huge problem for Advocaat to find the players as talented as these two. I only hope Arshavin will play for Arsenal and will not be "warming the bench" like many other Russian players have abroad. I am not sure if Arsenal is the perfect club for Andrei or not, but time will tell. I know Arshavin is happy about the deal and that means a lot for the player…

Mihail Bojarsky, a famous actor and lifelong Zenit supporter:

I am very much delighted! For Russian football to progress we need not only our players to perform well in Euros and World Cups, but also to be recognised at least in Europe. Arshavin will be at Arsenal and I guess he deserves that. I only wish Zenit had got more cash for Andrei – both the club and the player needed that. I think Arshavin should cost at least £20M and, perhaps, in the summer he would have cost even more. Andrei used to dream of Italy and Spain to continue his career – he would say these countries play romantic football. But I guess Arsenal play almost the same type of game. When a couple of years ago the Gunners were challenging Real Madrid in the Champions League and defeated them their football was beautiful and even more than romantic! Of course, Henry was playing then, but now they have Cesc, van Persie and Arshavin who will perform brilliantly.

And the final words should go to Arshavin’s coach at Zenit, Dick Advocaat:

The decision to sell or buy a player is discussed by the coach, the bosses of the club, and sometimes the sponsors, so the Arshavin deal was not just the idle whim of anybody. We all realise how hard it will be for the club to play without Arshavin and Tymoschuk, but life goes on and so does football… Andrei wanted the transfer very much and he got it. He was a symbol of the team as much as Tymoschuk and we couldn’t keep both players at the club, because they deserve to play for European giants like Arsenal and Bayern. We’ll have to work in the transfer market really imaginatively to compensate for the loss of a brilliant midfielder and creative forward, but somehow I am sure Zenit will find proper replacements…