Arshavin: Arsenal should sign Russian Ronaldinho

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Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin has urged Arsene Wenger to enter the race for Chelsea and Liverpool target Yuri Zhirkov. The Russian playmaker, who joined the Gunners for £15 million in February, has recently expressed his bafflement at being able to play effectively on the left wing. And the former Zenit St Petersburg playmaker says he would like Arsenal to dip into their war chest this summer to sign fellow countryman Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow, the man dubbed the 'Russian Ronaldinho'. “Yes, I know Yuri well,” the 27-year-old told the Russian media. “But the problem is would he like to move to Arsenal?” 25-year-old Zhirkov has been continually linked with a move to the Roman Abramovich-owned Blues at the end of the season.

However, Rafa Benitez is now thought to be weighing up a move for the highly-rated defender, who impressed in Russia's run to the semi-finals of Euro 2008.

According to reports, Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink has instructed Blues owner Abramovich to splash out £15 million on the player in the summer to boost the Stamford Bridge side's squad.

And CSKA Moscow chief Zico has hinted that Zhirkov will soon by plying his trade in west London, insisting the player would be a huge success in the Premier League.

“Zhirkov is a player of such high level, he would only show all his potential playing in such a strong competition as the English Premier League," he said.

“He’d easily fit into Chelsea’s first-choice team. I don’t like to lose him, but I won’t stop his move to London.”

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Gregg Davies
Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.