Arshavin attracts host of suitors

(GETTY IMAGES)

Andrei Arshavin made himself one of the most sought-after players in European football with his performance for Russia against the Netherlands. However, the problem that potential suitors will encounter with the striker who can play on the wing is the £10m fee that Zenit St Petersburg want for the 27-year-old.

Despite being a relative unknown beyond Russia, Arshavin is not young for a footballer and has a contract with the club until December 2010. Arsenal have been linked with him in the past but, in terms of his age, he does not fit the profile of players Arsène Wenger has signed in the past.

Arshavin has 36 caps for Russia but won his first in May 2002, his international career has been patchy in that respect and he has only ever played for Zenit in the city of his birth. He won the Russian footballer of the year award in 2006 and the Uefa Cup with Zenit last season. His club manager, Dick Advocaat, said he expected Arshavin to leave this summer. "He's a player that you don't see for 50 minutes and then suddenly, he's gone and can score a goal, not a lot of players have that quality," Advocaat said.