Arsenal FC Transfer Rumors: Zenit St. Petersburg Want Andrei Arshavin on Loan

ESPN Soccernet is reporting that Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg are hopeful of signing former player Andrei Arshavin on loan from Arsenal.

Arshavin grew up in the Zenit academy, making his first appearance for the senior team in 2000, and has only ever played for the two clubs in question.

Despite making a splash in the Premier League after signing for the Gunners in the 2009 winter transfer window—Arshavin famously scored four goals in April '09 at Anfield in a 4-4 draw.

The diminutive playmaker has seen his stock dip precariously since however, reaching a nadir this past week when he was sent to play in the Arsenal reserves' match against Norwich City.

Arshavin did score twice in that 5-0 win over the Canaries, however.

The Russian has made 27 appearances this season for Arsenal, mostly as a substitute, scoring one goal, against Swansea City back in September. He also has three assists.

Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov has acknowledged that Arshavin harbors a desire to continue playing in England. However, Mitrofanov is hopeful of persuading the 30-year-old, who normally captains the national side, of returning to Russia ahead of this summer's European Championships.

With first-team games for Arsenal now coming few and far between ever since his ineffective cameo against Manchester United at the Emirates in late January, Mitrofanov hopes that the prospect of a fresh start and consistent first-team action would appeal to Arshavin's sensibilities.

Former Gunner Emmanuel Petit (1997-2000), has recently come out and said that Arshavin is one of a number of current Arsenal players who simply are not good enough to play within the side, and should be let go. 

Any move would have to be finalized by Thursday night, however, when the Russian transfer window closes.