Arshavin keen to exit Zenit

Candid interview sees Russian ask to leave

By James Appell   Last updated: 7th November 2008

arshavin

Arshavin: Keen to leave

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Zenit St Petersburg playmaker Andrei Arshavin has reignited his transfer saga which dominated the headlines during the summer.

After a close season of on-off negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur, Arshavin eventually remained at Zenit after the two clubs failed to reach an agreement on a fee.

However, speaking after Zenit's 2-0 UEFA Champions League victory over BATE Borisov on Wednesday, Arshavin publicly demanded a transfer.

"Four months ago I told the president of the club that I didn't want to remain at the club any more," Arshavin told Sport Express.

"Everything depends on a single thing - whether Zenit will value me realistically. If that happens of course I will leave.

"[If it doesn't] I will be a Zenit player on paper only. I neither desire nor intend to play here next year."

Natural reaction

Arshavin denied that this was an ultimatum, stating simply that it was a 'natural reaction' to the uncertainty surrounding his transfer status.

The news could draw the attention of many clubs around Europe, not least Spurs, who conducted lengthy negotiations with Zenit over Arshavin this summer and have another Russian, Roman Pavlyuchenko, in the ranks.

Asked whether, in view of their precarious league position, Arshavin would consider a move to Spurs in January, the player was diplomatic.

"Naturally [if I was playing for Spurs] they would be challenging for the Champions League," he joked.

"Seriously, I cannot give an estimate because I am not in the team and, moreover, I haven't even seen how they are playing."

Zenit coach Dick Advocaat admitted in Friday's press conference that if the player wished to leave, the club should allow him to.

Meanwhile it was also announced that Advocaat had signed a new contract to coach the St Petersburg club until the end of 2009.