Arsenal Midfielder Andrei Arshavin Moves Back To Zenit on a £1 Million Loan

Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin will be moving back to his former Russian club Zenit St Petersburg on a loan till the end of this English Premier League season.

The Russian midfielder, who has been struggling to find his form all season, confirmed the news on his official web site.

"I've moved to "Zenit". On loan, will play under number 29," he posted on arshavin.eu/en/.

Earlier, Arsene Wenger (Arsenal manager), on being asked about the transfer rumour of Arshavin on Friday, had replied saying "At the moment, no," according to a Metro report.

However, Wenger later said that Arshavin had been loaned to Zenit so that he could "maximise his opportunities for regular first-team football ahead of Euro 2012 in June," According to Goal.com.

Maybe the £1 million loan fee plus Arshavin wages till the end of the loan, changed the Frenchman's mind.

However, Zenit St Petersburg, who currently lie at the top of the Russian Premier League table, were happy to have their 30-year-old midfielder back.

"Arshavin is back! FC Zenit welcomes the return of Andrey Arshavin to St Petersburg," the club posted on its official web site.

Later on Arshavin told Sport-Express, 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."

Arshavin, who has scored 23 goals in 133 appearances (including 98 league appearances) for Arsenal, joined the Gunners at a transfer fee of £15 million from Zenit in February 2009.

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