Arshavin recovery on track

The 28-year-old sustained a groin problem in Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on August 29, and subsequently sat out Russia's clash with Liechtenstein.

But despite Arsene Wenger reportedly warning former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink that the diminutive playmaker was carrying an injury, the Dutchman selected him in the 3-1 win in Cardiff, with Arshavin believed to have worsened the problem as a result.

The former Zenit St Petersburg star is now out of Arsenal's next two matches against Standard Liege and Wigan Athletic, having sat out the 4-2 defeat to Manchester City at the weekend.

However, Arshavin has since revealed that he had in fact done no further damage to his groin on international duty, and instead had injured his knee.

And the Russian added that his recovery back to full-fitness is on schedule, while insisting that there was never any disagreement between himself and Wenger over his participation for Russia.

“Recovery from my groin injury is on target,” he told Sport Express.

“Everything is normal with the knee, too, so by the end of the week the plan is to attend training.

“The club and I are in a situation of full understanding. I won't be hurried and so-called problems in terms of my injury and playing for the national team have been invented.”