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Arsenal To Sign Andrei Arshavin
Reports in England suggest that Arsene Wenger will be following fans'
advice in January and splashing out on a seriously big name as midfield
reinforcement for the Gunners.
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Andrei Arshavin Photo Goal.com
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Andrei Arshavin is on his way to North London, if reports
in the English media are anything to go by. Arsenal are reportedly lining
up a bid for the player, as Arsene Wenger breaks his habit of thrift and
looks to spend rather than save for once.
When questioned regarding the player by a number of reporters today, Wenger
reacted with a smile each time he was asked to give a positive identification
of the player the Gunners have lined up.
"I don't need to announce a name," The Guardian reported Wenger
grinning to French television channel Canal Plus, "because when you
do that there is 50% less chance of making the signing. But I need a creative
midfielder and eventually another midfielder, because we are short."
Long-term injuries to skipper Cesc Fabregas and to Tomas Rosicky mean
that Arsenal are short on flair in the midfield area, and Arshavin, with
his silky skills and almost magical ability to create, is definitely an
'Arsenal type' player.
Wenger also seemed to confirm the move was going ahead in his program
notes ahead of the Gunners' 1-0 victory over Portsmouth at the Emirates
Stadium today.
"The transfer window opens [on Thursday] and, although we are not
close to signing anyone at the moment, if we do buy, I think what we need
is maybe someone with a bit of experience," Wenger wrote.
"We already have many young players so, if we buy, it will be somebody
who is ready to play straight away. A loan deal could also be a possibility.
"Cesc is a long way from playing again, so are Tomas Rosicky and
Theo Walcott, and these are three creative players that we count on at
the start of the season. So what we might need is someone who can create
a little spark."
In the world of bluff, counter bluff and rumor that is the transfer market,
those words are probably the closest to a positive confirmation fans are
likely to get that the Zenit St. Petersburg playmaker is on his way to
the Emirates.
Zack Wilson
Goal.com,
12/28/2008
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