Zenit St Petersburg star Andrei Arshavin has again told
the club that he is desperate to leave as soon as
possible.
The Russia forward, 27, was heavily linked with moves to
Barcelona and Arsenal in the summer before eventually coming close
to a move to Tottenham, but the move fell through as the clubs were
unable to agree a fee.
And while Zenit are the current Uefa Cup and Super Cup champions
and are competing in this season’s Champions League, he insists he
remains desperate to secure a move away from the club.
"A professional cannot be reluctant to play if he enters the
field," he told Sport Express.
“I am doing my best for Zenit, but four months ago I told the
chairman of the club that I don’t want to stay in the team. And
then I repeated it continually.
“Unfortunately, my words were either ignored or
underestimated.
"The problem boils down to whether Zenit set a realistic
price.
“If that happens, I will leave; if not, I will be listed in the
Zenit squad but only on paper. Next year, I don’t want to – and
won’t – play here.
"That is not an ultimatum but a typical reaction to the
situation.
“I was always thinking that it is possible to come to an
agreement and leave smoothly, but now I have much less hope.
“A conflict seems necessary but, bless me, I wanted it least of
all.
"The management of the club does not know about my decision yet,
but they will learn about it after this interview."
He added: "I am not satisfied playing in Zenit and I think my
teammates do not enjoy the game either as they see my
situation.
"Generally speaking, I have been suffering for four months and
the team is in torment with me.
"The Champions League is of course a kind of an impetus, but
that is only six games.
"At the moment, I am a part of the team and it is important for
me that the team finishes as high in the Russian championship as
possible.
“I repeat that, if I enter the field, I do everything I can at
that moment. If I did not want to play, I would say it."
Arshavin says he has not seen Tottenham this season but was
pleased to hear that Russia team-mate Roman Pavlychenko
score at the weekend.
"I have not seen a single game of Tottenham, to tell you the
truth,” he said.
“But after every match day of the English Premier League,
everybody in the team who watched the games is teasing me – even
(coach Dick) Advocaat.
“That is why I don’t really need to watch Tottenham – I get full
reports from their games anyway.
“After my unsuccessful transfer to that English club, absolutely
everyone at Zenit is interested in Tottenham.
"I can say nothing about Tottenham’s and especially
Pavlyuchenko’s performance as I am not in the team, but Roman has
started to score. That is good."