New boy Arshavin preparing to take aim at Gunners’ targets
With all documentation on the Russian international’s transfer now fully ratified by the Premier League and Football Association – albeit with some paperwork understood to have arrived when business was supposed to have been formally completed – Arshavin has returned home to await the formality of a work permit before returning to London.
While Gunners fans are likely to have to be patient for the debut of the playmaker, the Russian domestic season having finished in November, Arshavin is in no doubt of the expectations which await him.
“Arsenal’s aim is to win the Premier League title and be European champions,” Arshavin said.
“That is always the target for this club, so everybody knows that.”
Arshavin added: “The FA had to approve the deal. Everyone was waiting for their decision, and once that decision was taken and my transfer was registered with the FA, I became an Arsenal player.
“I have already had a training session, and I am pleased with how I have been welcomed. Everyone has been very hospitable.”
The deal to bring Arshavin to Emirates Stadium on a four-and-a-half-year contract is understood to be for an initial £12million, with some £3m dependant on add-on clauses.
The Gunners travel to White Hart Lane on Sunday for the north London derby against big-spending Tottenham, a match which is likely to come too soon for Arshavin.
The severe weather which hit London earlier this week not only crippled the capital’s transport networks, which meant some staff were unable to travel to the Premier League’s offices on transfer deadline day, but it also caused the postponement of the FA Cup fourth-round replay against Cardiff at Emirates Stadium.
Burnley await the winners of that tie following their victory over West Brom however, should Arsenal progress from the re-arranged game on Monday February 16, then they face something of a fixture pile-up.
The FA have confirmed Burnley would travel to Emirates Stadium on the weekend of March 7/8, leaving Arsenal potentially a tie behind and forced to play catch-up.
Arsenal are away to Roma in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash on March 11 and have limited space to squeeze in another game ahead of the international break for the World Cup qualifiers.
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