Arshavin joins Arsenal till 2012

LONDON (AFP) – Russia international midfielder Andrei Arshavin of Zenit St Petersburg has joined Arsenal till June 2012 for 12 million pounds (13.3 million euros), sources at the Premier League club said on Monday.

The Gunners are now merely waiting on the Premier League to sign all the necessary paperwork for the deal to be made official.

The fee was far from the initial asking price the reigning UEFA Cup winners wanted of 20 million pounds, but included a substantial performance-linked bonus.

Conflicting signals had been emerging from Arsenal's Emirates stadium and Russia throughout the day as the 1700GMT deadline came and went and a Zenit club spokesman had even said the deal had fallen through.

The deal apparently hit a last minute snag when Zenit demanded a portion of Arshavin's signing on fee.

But other Russia news agencies were reporting that a deal had been struck on a three-and-a half year contract.

Gazeta.ru site nnounced that Arshavin, one of the stars at Euro 2008, had passed his medical and was now an Arsenal player, inheriting the Gunners' number 13 shirt.

He will probably not make his debut for the Gunners for a few weeks because he will have to work on physical conditioning to adapt to the rigours of the English game.

The 27-year-old was a major revelation at the Euro 2008 tournament when Russia reached the semi-finals, losing to eventual champions Spain.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has on many occasions spoken of his admiration for the player.

U.S. World Cup in 2018 or 2022

Reliant Stadium in Houston is one of many modern facilities the U.S. can boast.

Feb. 2, 2009, will own a historic place in U.S. soccer history. It's the date U.S. Soccer officials joined the race to host a World Cup tournament and officially announced their intention to pursue either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

And they'll get one of them. Book it. Want to know why? The answer is in the whir of construction cranes encircling suburban Dallas, where the Cowboys' new behemoth of a stadium is rising. And it's in the shadow of Giants Stadium, where yet another futuristic NFL stadium is going up. And it's in all the other fabulous, mammoth athletic facilities that dot the country.

The stadium outside Dallas will have the ability to accommodate perhaps 100,000 fans for special events. The $1.3 billion project in New Jersey will seat 82,500.

Beautiful, recently opened buildings in Philadelphia, Seattle, Denver, Houston and elsewhere also will brace the bid. These are grand in scale, monuments to the place where architecture, imagination and capitalism collide. No other country is so sophisticated in exploiting sales and sponsorship opportunities inside these modern arenas.

At some point, this bid process is all about the facilities. (Well, really, it's about money. Because finances are inextricably linked to facility size, by extension, these bids are about physical structures.) The United States enjoys a stadium situation unrivaled in the rest of the world, thanks mostly to the country's love of American football and need to stack the racks with money-waving fans.

More seats mean more money for FIFA. It's that simple.

Yes, there are nice (and nicely sized) venues scattered throughout the world. Some countries have a respectable volume of facilities with impressive capacities. England, probably the front-runner for the 2018 World Cup, can get into the conversation, at least. But even England can't come close to matching the glut of structural riches available to FIFA by awarding one of the future World Cups to the United States.

Consider this: A World Cup today could be scattered quite easily around a roster of fabulous stadiums that didn't even exist when the United States hosted World Cup 1994.

Let that sink in. That's how deep the selection of stadiums is here.

And, of course, venerable facilities such as the Rose Bowl, which hosted the 1994 final, remain in play. That one also holds 100,000-plus fans.

The 1994 World Cup smashed previous records for attendance; the 52-game tournament averaged 68,991 fans, a mark that still stands. The next one here will easily surpass that record.

The 2006 World Cup was a wonderfully well-received tournament, generally spilling out without a hitch and to everyone's pleasure. Germany is a modern country with several contemporary arenas. And yet, tournament organizers still needed to employ stadiums in Kaiserslautern, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Hanover and Cologne, all of which hold 46,000 spectators or fewer. There probably won't be a single bid from a stadium in the U.S. with a capacity so small. Everybody loves all those swell U.S. soccer-specific stadiums that have done so much for the game in our country, but you don't send a boy to do a man's job, so to speak.

There's also a matter of sponsorship. Here, too, FIFA has reason to purr over prospects of a second World Cup in the United States.

"From a sponsorship perspective, the two countries that advertisers currently covet most are the United States and China, and this will probably continue to be the case in 2018 and beyond," said John Alper, vice president of Premier Partnerships, a national sales and marketing firm specializing in revenue generation for facilities, events and properties. "Obviously, FIFA considers a variety of factors for this decision. However, from a sponsorship perspective, having the USA as the host nation is definitely a plus."

And by "definitely a plus," he means more cash for the FIFA kitty. Ka-ching!

The 1994 World Cup was a rousing success, at least in terms of attendance and revenue. And soccer's profile has risen substantially in the United States in the 15 years since. That means hosting a World Cup in 2018 or 2022 would be a colossus.

The World Cup in Germany averaged 52,491 spectators per contest. Given the scale of the new facilities available to the U.S.' bid, the average crowd for a World Cup in the United States could climb to 75,000. That's an extra 22,000-plus fans for 64 matches. With an average ticket price of $140 or so (the World Cup in South Africa next year will charge an average of $139, so that is a very conservative estimate), that's an additional $197 million just in ticket revenue.

And don't forget that every person who passes through a turnstile is a candidate to buy T-shirts, hats, silly foam fingers and such. The way a typical stadium deal works, the facility keeps parking and most concession revenues. But all the merchandise money goes to the event organizers, which in this case is FIFA. So the extra 22,000 or so per match adds up further considering the multiplier, whatever that is. Let's say the foam-finger factor is $10 per customer. The extra 22,000 customers can potentially generate up to an additional $220,000 per match, or an additional $14 million for the tournament.

As they say: Pretty soon, you're talking about real money.

These are very basic formulas. The actual accounting will be far more complex, of course. But you get the point. Suffice to say, if FIFA can pour more customers into stadiums during the monthlong tournament, the financial payload will expand significantly.

There could be one potential road hump. Each of these grand, new U.S. facilities comes with a lucrative naming-rights deal already in place. And that's not part of FIFA's financial template. Because world soccer's governing body doesn't already have its hand in that pie, it demands a blank slate in terms of venue sponsorship, and that includes naming rights. That's why the AOL Arena in Hamburg became, officially speaking, the World Cup Stadium in Hamburg for 2006.

Will this pose an issue? Not likely, Alper said. First, FIFA is such a global heavyweight that it can demand a blank slate. Most existing stadium contracts have clauses that cover opportunities to host extraordinary events. Plus, Alper says a FedEx or an AT&T or whatever corporate sponsor won't jeopardize important relationships and risk a firestorm of bad publicity by saying no to a chance to host World Cup games.

One more thing: Facilities in other countries, nice as some are, aren't designed with luxury boxes in mind. Not to the extent U.S. stadiums are, at least. Those opportunities for premium sales generate good money, too. Ka-ching, again.

Money talks. FIFA listens. Another World Cup is headed to the United States in your lifetime, and Feb. 2 is the day it all officially started.

Other countries that have expressed interest in bidding for either the 2018 and 2022 World Cup:

Australia: Officials there hope FIFA's desire to grow the game in Asia and the Pacific Rim can enhance the chances. Although Australia has hosted other major events (such as the 2000 Olympics in Sydney), the odds here appear long.

England: The country's effort received a significant boost when FIFA rulers shot down the notion of joint bids. So the Spain-Portugal effort and a bid from the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) went kaput before they even got started. Thus, England is the clear front-runner if FIFA is to return the tournament to Europe.

Indonesia: The world's fourth-most-populated country (237 million) has seen its economy and political scene stabilize significantly since the turbulent 1960s. Although Indonesia might be considered a strong national team in southeast Asia, its relative weakness in the world soccer structure is a detriment.

Japan: Japan has the stadiums, the infrastructure and organizational might to pull it off, but proximity to the 2002 World Cup (which the Japanese co-hosted with Korea) hurts.

Mexico: Several new stadiums are going up in Mexico. But the U.S. neighbor would become the first country to host three World Cups, a factor that probably will work against it.

Qatar: The oil-rich Arab emirate has the world's highest GDP per capita, according to some estimates. Although money isn't an issue, physical size could be. Qatar occupies only about 4,400 square miles, roughly the size of Pennsylvania.

Russia: Talk of a bid from the world's largest nation (by area) sounded much better a year ago, before falling oil prices and ongoing crisis in the Russian financial markets crunched the nation's economy.

Andrei Arshavin says Arsenal move is close and lines up No 23 shirt at Emirates

Andrei Arshavin remains hopeful he will soon be able to pull on an Arsenal shirt with Zenit St Petersburg claiming a £15 million deal was completed before the transfer deadline - and even says he has been given a squad number.

The move for the 27-year-old playmaker has turned out to be the most protracted of the window, which was scheduled to close at 5pm on Monday - although with some special dispensation allowed following the adverse weather conditions.

It is understood an agreement between all parties over fees and personal terms were reached in time for the necessary paperwork to be submitted to the Premier League.

However, Arsenal have yet to confirm Arshavin is their player while the Premier League have revealed there are a number of transfers which are continuing to be examined and approved by its board because of administration delays caused by the severe snow which crippled London's transport networks.

Arshavin, though, has revealed on his personal website details of the completed deal should be announced later today.

Asked if he was now an Arsenal player, the Russian international said: "I think so. The negotiations came to a close and there will be details [on Tuesday].

"Now I can say only one thing - that if I play for Arsenal, it will be at number 23."

Unlike Arsenal, whose club policy is to never directly comment on transfer speculation, Zenit have chosen to publicly reveal details of the negotiations.

In another development, an article on the club's official website now maintains the deal has been completed, although they have credited a Russian news agency for the story.

"Zenit, Arsenal and Andrei Arshavin have concluded talks in London," the report on http://www.fc-zenit.ru reads.

"An FC Zenit source has informed Fontanka that the talks were successful, and Andrei Arshavin is moving to Arsenal. The signed documents have already been sent to the English Football Association [Premier League].

"A source close to the discussions has told Fontanka that the terms of the deal are financially suitable to Zenit.

"The St Petersburg club will receive £16.5million - £15m for the transfer of the player and £1.5m compensation for breaking a long-term contract.

"In addition there is a further 500,000 Euros [£450,000] in bonuses which Arshavin has not yet received which will not be paid and instead make up part of the transfer sum.

"The overall sum of the transfer is around US Dollars 24m [£16.9m]."

Should those figures prove correct and the deal is ratified, then it would make the deal a transfer record for Arsenal.

Arshavin, who is reported to have been prepared to take a pay cut to join Arsenal, jetted into London yesterday for a medical to complete the deal, and is understood to have now returned to Russia to complete some personal arrangements before starting work at his new club.

Wenger has long been an admirer of the 27-year-old Russia international, who shot to prominence at Euro 2008.

While Arshavin could make his debut in Sunday's north London derby at Tottenham, given the Russian domestic season finished in November, the player is more likely to be allowed some time to build-up full match fitness.

Arsenal currently lie five points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa after successive Barclays Premier League draws against Everton and West Ham.

Meanwhile, severe snow in the capital forced tonight's planned FA Cup fourth-round replay against Cardiff to be postponed, the tie now rearranged for Feb 16.

The Total Dominator : Gerrard, Lampard and Ronaldo

Gerrard, Lampard and Ronaldo continue to dominate the Fantasy Premier League scoring. However, as we enter the business end of the season, could it be time to rethink which one of the big-scorers you hang on to?

The last few weeks have been almost non-stop fun for Manchester United fans with poor form from their title-chasing opponents accompanied by an almost perfect set of results for fans of the 17-time title winners.

Chelsea have strung together two wins since the 3-0 Old Trafford defeat, but that damaging loss was preceded by points dropped against Everton, West Ham and Fulham.

For Liverpool, the run of indifferent form has been equally damaging, draws in their last three games came after a brace of wins, but there were two more stalemates before that. These are tough times for Pool fans.

In contrast, Man Utd have dismissed everyone in their path since drawing 0-0 at Tottenham in mid-December with a run of six straight wins. Most were by a one-goal margin, but West Brom were destroyed 5-0 on Tuesday night in what was an ominous performance for their title rivals.

But, regardless of current form, Chelsea and Liverpool's recent results have been notable for the sterling performances of midfield star men, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

Along with United's Cristiano Ronaldo, these three men have dominated Fantasy Premier League teams in seasons past, and as it stands they are - along with Nemanja Vidic - three of the four top-scoring players in the game. Of equal importance is their cost, Ronaldo, Gerrard and Lampard are the three most expensive players in the market. Yet, despite their hefty price tags, almost all of us have one of the hallowed trio in our squads.

However, as we enter the business end of the season, could it be time to rethink which one of the big-scorers you hang on to?

Cristiano Ronaldo

At £14.5m the Portuguese World Player of the Year is comfortably the most expensive purchase in the game. However, all seasoned Fantasy Premier League managers will know why - he's simply been unstoppable in the last two campaigns. However, there have been signs that 2008-09 would not be such a banner year with a run of nine goalless gameweeks until scoring a brace against West Brom in midweek. That was the fourth time he's scored twice in a game this season and managers must ask themselves if this can herald a new burst of big point gathering. Up to now this season, Ronaldo has averaged 6.8 points per game and there is no-other midfielder with such a good return. Given United's attacking threat from other sources, even if Ronaldo doesn't score he's likely to set one up.

Frank Lampard

With 149 points England man Lampard is the top scorer in the entire game thanks largely to his nose for both a strike and assist, but also to an almost seamless run in the Chelsea first XI (the 30-year-old has only missed 18 minutes of action so far). That almost 'ever present' status has seen managers latch on to Lampard, sending his value up £1m since Gameweek One. And they have been rewarded of late with four goals in five games. With 6.5 points per game, Lampard offers the second best return of the trio.

Steven Gerrard
At £11.9m, Gerrard is the cheapest of the three, being £0.1m less than Lampard, and has scored a whopping 130 points so far - one ahead of Ronaldo. The 28-year-old Liverpool hero offers the Anfield club their chief goal threat with nine successful strikes this season. In what may be a strange quirk, his best play has come just as Liverpool's title-winning form has tailed off. In nine games since December 1, Gerrard has scored six times while his team have won three, drawn six and been overhauled at the top of the table.

Arsenal face Arshavin frustration

Zenit rejected a £16m offer for Arshavin from Spurs in the summer

Arsenal's attempt to sign Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg is being held up by the Russian club's demands, according to his agent.

The Gunners and Italian side Juventus have been linked with a £20m deal, but Dennis Lachter says Zenit want the fee to be paid in only one instalment.

He said: "They want the money in one go. They did it that way when they got Danny for £24m and they want the same.

"Many clubs are afraid of how Zenit and other Russian clubs do business."

Despite Zenit's stance, Lachter says he is still confident Arshavin will be leaving the club in the January transfer window.

"That is what is going to happen," he added.

"There are 10, 15, 20 teams who are interested in him. The question is can they afford him?"

Zenit coach Dick Advocaat has confirmed Arsenal's interest in the 27-year-old who shone during Euro 2008.

"I am aware that Arsenal are interested but I don't know any more than that," said Dutchman Advocaat.

"I'm expecting Arshavin to leave. He's a top player and could play for any of the top teams in England."

"Arshavin played well for us last season but he didn't play as well as he can. There's still more to come from him and people will see that."

The Russian season ended in November with unfashionable Rubin Kazan claiming their maiden domestic title, with the 2007 champions Zenit languishing in fifth.

In December, Lachter told BBC Sport that Zenit and the player, who was linked with a move to Tottenham in the summer, had agreed that he should find a new club in January.

"He will definitely move in January or the player and club will lose money," he said.

"Zenit and Andrei understand that it is time for them to part from each other."

But Lachter denied reports that the player had visited both the training grounds of Arsenal and Spurs on a recent trip to London.