Arshavin Says Nyet to UAE

Andrei Arshavin - On Strike?

Andrei Arshavin is reported to have refused to go to the UAE to join Zenit St Petersburg at its pre-season training camp. Sovetski Sport said on Tuesday "The St. Petersburg forward called the trainer and said that he would not go to the first pre-season camp in the UAE if he was not sold to a foreign club."

He had hinted earlier on in the season that he would go on strike if necessary.

(.....Arshavin Photo by Simone)

It appears also that Arshavin would actually prefer to play for Arsenal after all. At least that's what some people are reading between the lines.

Arshavin is quoted in the Daily Telegraph as saying: "In some games last season, we played football which was very similar to that of Arsenal."

He then added: "I would prefer my present Number 10 but in the team where I hope to move it's not vacant. So I'm ready for any number they are going to offer me."

This is taken to mean that he wants to go to Arsenal and would have preferred to wear number 10 but that is currently occupied by William Gallas.

Personaly to me this doesn't make a lot of sense, as presumably other teams have players occupying number 10 shirts too?

Zenit St Petersburg still maintain that they are negotiating with ‘a number of English clubs’ over Arshavin, but so far there does not appear to have been any official bid other than the £10 million bid made by Arsenal which was rejected.

Zenit’s head of media, Alexey Petrov, has confirmed however that talks are continuing with Arsenal. “From Manchester City no documents have been reported in our club,” Petrov said.

“Negotiations with Arsenal are not finished, they are continuing, but you cannot say there is anything definite.”

On another note Andrei Arshavin was voted the 11th best player in the world by FIFA last night. which, even if it is not one of the top 3 is still pretty good.