Arsenal are set to replace Andrei Arshavin with his fellow countryman Alan Dzagoev next season after Arsene Wenger has run out of patience with the little Russian.
The 31 year old who joined Arsenal from Zenit in the summer of 2008 has struggled to adapt to the English game and was shipped back to Russia on loan this winter. With the loan deal due to expire shortly, Arsenal are willing to talk about a permanent deal although it’s not clear if Zenit will be keen on having him after he failed to impress during the loan.
However, Arsene Wenger is already contemplating signing another Russian this summer. Alan Dzagoev, the hero of Russia’s last match against the Czechs, is being touted as a possible replacement already. The 21 year old CSKA Moscow midfielder could come for cheap with just a year remaining on his present contract. It is believed though that Chelsea, who are on a summer spending spree, could hijack the player from Arsenal’s grasp. The midfielder who scored a brace in their opening Euro fixture is a self confessed Chelsea fan and might snub the Gunners if the European champions come calling.