Friday, 21st June, 2013
Andrei Arshavin could be set for a return to his old club Zenit St. Petersburg with a deal which could even be announced by tonight, according to Russian outlet Sport-Express.
The forward is out of contract this summer after being released by Arsenal and is expected to rejoin his boyhood club, where he also spent three months on loan last year.
Arshavin was picked up by Arsene Wenger for the Gunners in 2009, after eight-and-a-half years with Zenit’s senior squad.
The 32-year-old was hugely successful with Zenit, having won a league title, a UEFA Cup and a UEFA Super Cup during his initial spell.
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His loan period saw another Russian Premier League crown added, and he looks set to regularly be in Zenit colours once again, with an agreement set to be revealed within the next few hours.
In total, Arshavin managed 260 appearances for the Russian club, who finished second this year, during both his playing stints.
His performances for Russia in Euro 2008 had been key to his move to the Emirates Stadium, but after initial success, he became out of favour against Wenger’s new arrivals.
Nevertheless, he turned out 144 times for the London giants, scoring 31 goals and making 46 assists.
There were reports that Spartak Moscow would take Arshavin on after his contract ended, but manager Valeri Karpin had refuted the suggestion.
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