• Premier League

Zenit make bid to bring back Arshavin

ESPNsoccernet staff
February 22, 2012
Andrei Arshavin played for Arsenal's reserves on Tuesday © Getty Images
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Russian side Zenit St Petersburg are hoping to re-sign Andrei Arshavin on a loan deal from Arsenal.

Arshavin, who spent his career at Zenit before leaving for the Premier League in 2008, has been a bit-part player at Arsenal this year following the arrival of Gervinho and the rise of new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Russian midfielder has made most of his 27 appearances this term as a substitute and has fallen out of favour with Arsenal's fans, who booed when he came on for Oxlade-Chamberlain during the club's home defeat to Manchester United.

Arshavin, 30, was demoted to the reserves this week, along with fellow first-team squad members Yossi Benayoun and Marouane Chamakh, to find some form and fired in two goals against Norwich to send a message to manager Arsene Wenger that he wants a place in Sunday's big derby game with Tottenham.

However, Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov is hopeful of persuading Arshavin to return to the club where he spent 11 years before moving to London.

Mitrofanov told Russian newspaper Sovietsky Sport: "We talked with them. Let's see how they themselves continue to lead.

"Andrei still wants to play in England. [But] for Andrei it is very important to play in the Euros and being at a home club would be a good option in the current situation.

"Therefore, we are discussing the possibility to loan (Arshavin)."

Any deal would have to be concluded by Thursday night when the Russian transfer window closes.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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