New Delhi: Reports in England suggest that Arsene Wenger will be following fans' advice in January and splashing out on a seriously big name as midfield reinforcement for the Gunners.
Andrei Arshavin is on his way to North London, if reports in the English media are anything to go by. Arsenal are reportedly lining up a bid for the player, as Arsene Wenger breaks his habit of thrift and looks to spend rather than save for once.
When questioned regarding the player by a number of reporters, Wenger has reacted with a smile when asked to give a positive identification of the player the Gunners have lined up.
"I don't need to announce a name," The Guardian reports Wenger grinning to French television channel Canal Plus earlier, "because when you do that there is 50% less chance of making the signing. But I need a creative midfielder and eventually another midfielder, because we are short."
Long-term injuries to skipper Cesc Fabregas and to Tomas Rosicky mean that Arsenal are short on flair in the midfield area, and Arshavin, with his silky skills and almost magical ability to create, is definitely an 'Arsenal type' player.
Wenger also seemed to confirm the move was going ahead in his programme notes ahead of the Gunners' 1-0 victory over Portsmouth at the Emirates Stadium today.
"The transfer window opens [on Thursday] and, although we are not close to signing anyone at the moment, if we do buy I think what we need is maybe someone with a bit of experience," Wenger wrote.
"We already have many young players so, if we buy, it will be somebody who is ready to play straight away. A loan deal could also be a possibility.
"Cesc is a long way from playing again, so are Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott, and these are three creative players that we count on at the start of the season. So what we might need is someone who can create a little spark."
In the world of bluff, counter bluff and rumour that is the transfer market, those words are probably the closest to a positive confirmation fans are likely to get that the Zenit St. Petersburg playmaker is on his way to the Emirates.
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