The Russian had been linked with a move from Arsenal to Anzhi Makhachkala- but Wenger will seek to keep him.
Different league, different set of rules.
It hardly seems right that teams from one league can buy another’s players while the other cannot do the same.
The Russian transfer window expires later this month, meaning the future of certain targets is up in the air.
One of these is Andrei Arshavin, much-derided and who has been out of form for Arsenal for around a year.
He was linked with a move to big spending Anzhi Makhachkala yesterday.
If Wenger was going to let him go, he would have done so in January.
There is no point in letting a player go when he cannot bring in a replacement, especially at such a crucial stage of the season.
Despite his recent lack of form, Arshavin has a goal or assist in him, and it could be that he scores the important goal that clinches the fourth spot for Arsenal, or a key goal in the FA Cup or Champions League.
Don’t get us wrong, Arshavin’s future lies away from the Emirates and he should be sold in the summer, but for Arsenal to let him go now would be a bad decision.
We feel Wenger agrees. The clincher is that he has let Ryo Miyaichi go on loan to Bolton Wanderers.
The young Japanese attacker would play in a similar position to Arshavin, and most fans would have rather seen Arshavin sold or loaned to give Miyaichi a chance.
By letting Miyaichi leave, there is surely no way Wenger will Arshavin go too.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has looked promising of late, but Wenger will not play him every game.
He needs Arshavin for now if he is to balance his squad while there are three competitions with all to play for.
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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