arshavin

photo and story credit:Arsenal fc

Former Arsenal forward Andrei Arshavin is reportedly set to return to his former club Zenit Saint Petersburg.

The 32-year-old Russian has been released by Arsenal and The Sport Express Daily says Zenit Saint Petersburg's owners, the gas giant Gazprom, have approved his acquisition.
Gazprom's chief executive Alexei Miller said: "We have to remember that Arshavin is a product of Zenit and I think it right that a product of Zenit finishes his career at his native club.
"Arshavin is a great Russian footballer and a great Petersburg sportsman."
Arshavin played a starring role in Zenit's 2008 UEFA Cup success and then performed superbly for Russia in the 2008 European Championships.
However, he failed to build on a promising start to his career with Arsenal and spent time on loan with Zenit during the 2011/12 season.
The Sport Express says the main conditions of his new Zenit contract have been agreed, following a meeting with Miller and Zenit manager Luciano Spalletti.
Zenit are looking to strengthen their side following the departure of Russian star Igor Denisov, who is to join big-spending Anzhi Makhachkala.