this time Andrei Arshavin will go

Following the Euro 2008 Andrei Arshavin became one of the hottest names in the sport with numerous clubs seeking his services. During the summer transfer market, terms with clubs were never reached and although many media outlets noted blame on Zenit management typically via Andrei's own comments or his agents, in-truth it was because all suggested deals involved a deferred payment structure that was laced with bonuses.

With the Russian season nearly completed and the January transfer window ahead, the winds of change are upon us with Mr. Arshavin once again expressing his displeasure with life in beautiful Saint Petersburg. Via Russian media outlet, Sport Express he noted:

"A professional cannot be reluctant to play if he enters the field," said Andrei. "I do my best in Zenit. But four months before I told the Chairman of the club that I don’t want to stay in the team. And then I used to repeat it continually. Unfortunately my words were either missed or underestimated."

"The problem boils down to the following: whether Zenit sets a real price. If that happens I will leave. If not – I will be listed in Zenit but only on paper. Next year I don’t want and won’t play here."

"That is not an ultimatum but a typical reaction on 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."

"I have not seen a single game of Tottenham to tell the truth. But after every match day of the English Premier League everybody in the team who watched the games is teasing me even Advocaat. That is why I don’t really need to watch Tottenham as I get the full report of their play. After my unsuccessful transfer to that English club absolutely all 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 started to score that is good."

"I am not satisfied playing in Zenit and I think my teammates do not enjoy the game either as they see my condition."

"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 gets as high the place 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."

"The management of the club does not know about my decision yet, but they will learn about it after this interview."

"The peak of my mood was on Euro and the dip on September 2, when the transfer window closed. Now my mood is somewhere in the hole. Of course I have some joys but mostly go with the current."

"I think that with some luck we can get into to the Champions League play-offs and without it we can even miss out the UEFA Cup. Everything depends on every match: both ours and of Real. Football is very unpredictable and anything can happen. Let’s wait a bit and everything will be settled soon."

In a simple reply Dick Advocaat, reiterated that any player who wishes to leave, should be allowed to. With the state of Zenit's season along with the clubs decision to maximize value for a player at the height of his career, this time he is unlikely to be at the club next year.