It has been almost six months since Andrei Arshavin's name began splashing around in transfer gossip in newspapers all over Europe. Every rumor, more exciting than the last, linked him with six different clubs.
Barcelona, Chelsea, Juventus, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Real Madrid were linked to the Russian at some point or another prior to his arrival at Arsenal.
However, as the winter transfer deadline approached Arshavin was still not signed by the Gunners as the deal went into extra-time thanks to mother nature. It was reported that the agreement between the north London club and Zenit St. Petersburg was agreed upon just minutes if not seconds before the clock struck 12 midnight.
Many had gone to bed being assured the Football Association would ratify the paperwork in the morning to complete Arshavin's dream move to the Premier League. Sources in Russia had long declared it being official without any actual word from the FA but as most now know, Arshavin and Arsenal have agreed on a three-and-a-half-year with the fee around $30 million (US).
Now, as the saga has finally concluded there will be an extraordinary amount of pressure on the 27-year-old boy faced attacking midfielder as he adds a new chapter to his career in arguably the best league in the world.
He becomes the second Russian national player to have joined the Primer league this season after team mate and fellow top player in the Euro 2008, Roman Pavlyuchenko joined Spurs in September.
Like his fellow compatriot at Tottenham, Arshavin will not be allowed to participate in Arsenal's quest for European glory having already done so for Zenit before their relegation into the UEFA Cup.
It is not confirmed whether he will see any action this weekend against Spurs and Pavlyuchenko seeing how the Russian season has been finished for a few months. He will now also be off the list for Russia's training in Turkey as he begins to learn and adjust to his new home in England.
In what has been called by his agent as the most difficult transfer in his career, the tango between Arsenal and Zenit should make others weary of dealing with Russian clubs in the future as everyone in their Association has to be "taken care of" first.
What does the future hold for the newly signed Arshavin? Besides a No. 23 shirt, Arshavin will look to become the most prolific Russian born player to take his game abroad.
As a fan of Spartak Moscow (Zenit rival) nothing pleases me more than seeing the country's top players becoming associated with one of the world's top flight clubs. Not to mention never having to worry when it comes to games in Russia's Prem.
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