Work Permit for Arshavin

Andrei Arshavin - Arsenal Apply for Work Permit

According to RIAN in Russia, Arsenal got a U.K. work permit for Andrei Arshavin on Friday. It would appear therefore that the deal has finally been done. But there is still no confirmation from Arsenal.

According to Sky News Arsene Wegner has apparently said he expects the deal to be concluded in the next 24 hours. Russian sources expect an announcement from Arsenal within the "next few hours."

Sovetski Sport have said that Arshavin has agreed to repay Zenit St. Petersburg half of a $5 million bonus he was paid when he signed a four-year contract in 2006.

Arsenal are understood to have paid £ 15 million for Arshavin.

Maxim Mitrofanov, the Zenit director, said that Arshavin should also lower his wage demands to help the deal get signed.

Just about every club inEurope has been rumoured to be looking at Arshavin but so far only Arsenal and Spurs have showed a real concrete interest, which is a little surprising given the player's obvious talent. If it is true that Arsenal have signed him for £15 million they have got an extremely good player at a good price.