Gunners flop Arshavin heads back to Russia with Zenit
thesun
ANDREY ARSHAVIN has said goodbye to Arsenal after rejoining former club Zenit St Petersburg.
The Gunners flop spent nine seasons at his schoolboy club before heading to the Emirates in 2009 for a then club-record £15million.
After making an early impact including bagging all four goals in a 4-4 thriller at Anfield he struggled to keep his place in Arsene Wengers side and was shipped out on loan to Russia last season.
With his contract expiring at the end of June, the 32-year-old has now agreed to return to Zenit permanently on a two-year deal.
He said: I am very glad that it happened. I am glad to get back to the city.
Its good to wear the Zenit shirt. I just want to play football.
Of course, I want to return to the national team. I do not know whether being at Zenit helps this or not.
I just want to play football. And I want to do it in my hometown.
Meanwhile, Gunners defender Johan Djourou is set to join Hamburg on loan for a year with an option to buy, according to the German club's director of sport.
The 26-year-old joined the Arsenal academy in 2002 and has played 144 times for Wenger's side.
The Swiss international spent six months on loan at Hanover 96 last season and now looks to be joining fellow German side Hamburg.
Dircetor of sport Oliver Kreuzer said: "I am sure it will happen."
The Gunners flop spent nine seasons at his schoolboy club before heading to the Emirates in 2009 for a then club-record £15million.
After making an early impact including bagging all four goals in a 4-4 thriller at Anfield he struggled to keep his place in Arsene Wengers side and was shipped out on loan to Russia last season.
With his contract expiring at the end of June, the 32-year-old has now agreed to return to Zenit permanently on a two-year deal.
He said: I am very glad that it happened. I am glad to get back to the city.
Its good to wear the Zenit shirt. I just want to play football.
Of course, I want to return to the national team. I do not know whether being at Zenit helps this or not.
I just want to play football. And I want to do it in my hometown.
Meanwhile, Gunners defender Johan Djourou is set to join Hamburg on loan for a year with an option to buy, according to the German club's director of sport.
The 26-year-old joined the Arsenal academy in 2002 and has played 144 times for Wenger's side.
The Swiss international spent six months on loan at Hanover 96 last season and now looks to be joining fellow German side Hamburg.
Dircetor of sport Oliver Kreuzer said: "I am sure it will happen."
