Andrey Arshavin was finally the source of some good news for Arsenal fans late on Friday night as he left the club on loan.
The Gunners’ record signing completed a return to Zenit St Petersburg after the Russian club agreed to fork out a £1million loan fee and pay the forward’s wages until the end of the season.
Sportsmail revealed Zenit’s interest in Arshavin this week, but the club had been adamant he would not be leaving. But they went back on their word after Zenit agreed to pay the loan fee before the Russian transfer window closed last night.Arshavin, who cost Arsenal £15million when he joined from Zenit in 2009, said on Twitter: ‘It’s done.’
He later told Sport-Express in Russia: 'Friday was a very difficult day, nothing was decided until the very last minute. But I hope from now on everything is going to be fine. I want to play and will do all I can to help Zenit win the Russian title.'
The forward made 98 league appearances and scored 23 goals during his time at the Emirates. He has been the target of major criticism from fans for what they saw as a string of below-par displays.Manager Arsene Wenger has also been under fire for his side’s form this season.
But Harry Redknapp, the Frenchman’s opposite number in Sunday’s north London derby, backed him. ‘The fans can’t do any better than what they’ve got,’ Tottenham’s Redknapp said. ‘They can’t replace Wenger. He has been amazing in the job he has done there.’
