Arsenal granted work permit for Arshavin

However, as Arsene Wenger confirmed following the Gunners's 1-1 draw at Everton on Wednesday, a deal for the midfielder is still some way from being completed, with both the transfer fee for the player - reported to be around £15 million - and the wage demands for Arshavin himself, still being negotiated.

And Wenger is thought to have grown so frustrated with the ongoing transfer saga, that he may pull the plug on the deal completely if it has not been concluded by Saturday at 3pm, when Arsenal kick off against West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking to Arsenal TV Online, the French manager said: “If it can be done it has to be done as quickly as possible. It [the deal] was 90% not done, 10% done. At that level, percentages are not a big meaning because the 10% can quickly become the 90%.

"Let’s see. You won’t have long to wait."

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