From the BBC transfer day ticker : [ Hit Refresh to update minute by minute ]
2300: Dennis Lachter says the deal is done but needs confirmation from the Premier League first thing in the morning.
2000: That's it, we can wait no longer. You're going to have to keep coming back to the website to find out if Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin has really joined Arsenal or not, because right now, no-one knows if that deal is complete. Thanks for your company today, it's been a hoot. Now go outside and enjoy the snow - goodness knows you've been here long enough.
1953: I'm going to quit in seven minutes. Arsene, if you're reading this, please tell us. Please.
1947: "My brother working in Moscow says Arshavin has joined Arsenal for four years for £12.5m. It has just been announced on Moscow radio news."
James from Essex, via text on 81111
1942: Andrei Arshavin's agent has told us the Russian's move to Arsenal is "more or less" complete. Apparently, I'm devastated to tell you, "tomorrow we will find out for sure if it's gone through," says Dennis Lachter, who must be well acquainted with every single football journalist in England by now. I am so, so sorry. Honestly I am.
1936: "What is it with Arsenal? Remember the saga that was Cole v Gallas that dragged on into the wee small hours of 1 September all those years ago? Perhaps it's just the Arsenal way... having a laugh at our expense."
Jonnersace on 606
1931: Sorry to offend you, Gunners fans, but Arsenal are officially a rubbish deadline day club. I just don't think it's good protocol to drag something out for more than two-and-a-half hours. People have got lives to be getting on with (see below). Not me, obviously. I live for this.
1928: "Come on Arshavin! Tell us if you're going or tell us if you're not, I'm going mad, I need to know. I've had 11 texts from mates asking why I'm not with every single one of my classmates out in the snow, to which I've replied, I need to know if Arshavin is moving or not!"
Stu, Glasgow, via text on 81111
1922: Come on Andrei, put me out of my misery.
1906: "This Arshavin deal is the most twisting deal I've ever experienced as an Arsenal supporter. One minute everything is done, the next it's not and is hanging by a thread. Just so tense every time I hear Arshavin's name on the TV."
(I am NOT the next Messi)PaceyVision of Theo Fabregas on 606
Well, at least you now know how the other half (Spurs) live.
1900: So, it's just Arsenal, Andrei Arshavin, you lot and me. Don't be Russian off anywhere just yet.
1851: Another news agency are now suggesting Andrei Arshavin has signed for Arsenal and he will stay at the Emirates until June 2012. Again, we do not have confirmation of that.
1849: "How are negotiations still going on almost two hours after the deadline?"
YankeeGunnerFan on 606
Maybe an email/fax got delayed by the snow. Catch my drift?
1847: Southend United striker Charles Ademeno has joined Blue Square Premier side Salisbury City on loan until the end of the season.
1846: Andrei Arshavin latest: "Both clubs definitely want to complete the transfer, therefore the negotiations are still going," Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov has told local Russian television. Oh I love a deadline day saga, don't you?
1826: Arsenal's FA Cup replay with Cardiff will now take place on Monday, 16 February, after tomorrow's game was postponed.
1816: "Regardless of whether he does or doesn't sign now, this is the most pathetic transfer saga of all time."
goonerthruall on 606
Behave.
1812: I wonder where Andrei Arshavin is? Maybe having a sip of vodka in north London with his Euro 2008 partner-in-crime Roman Pavlyuchenko? The wait must be as agonising for him as it is for us. Something may well be announced quite soon though, we're hearing. Go on Arsenal.
1810: Sheffield United have secured a deal to take former Arsenal striker Arturo Lupoli, 21, on loan from Italian team Fiorentina on loan until the end of the season.
1752: "Who needs Arshavin when you have Eboue?"
eboateng on 606
1750: One of our intrepid reporters just spoke to Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood. "No news for you," he was told by the Gunners supremo. Sorry.
1747: Arsenal fans - don't look again. Reuters are now saying that Andrei Arshavin's transfer has been called off. Back to Russia, then, for the man who so enchanted us during Euro 2008.
1735: Arsenal fans, what are you thinking? If Andrei Arshavin doesn't sign, is that season over?
1728: Nervous, nervous moments for Arsenal fans, these. The Associated Press are saying Zenit spokesman Alexei Petrov believes the deal for Andrei Arshavin has broken down. We are awaiting confirmation, though.
1721: Arsenal fans, don't look: One of our news agencies is claiming that Zenit and the Gunners have failed to reach a deal on the transfer of Andrei Arshavin. It is only one source, though, so we will try and get more on that as and when we have it.
1700: THE TRANSFER WINDOW HAS CLOSED (except for deals where clubs can prove the weather has impacted on their ability to finish a deal).
1658: Robbie Keane and Andrei Arshavin are both going to move to north London, it's probably just a question of when Tottenham and Arsenal announce the deals. I'm not going anywhere until they do.
1656: Tick, tick, tick...
1625: Are Zenit the hardest club in the world to do business with? Seems like it. Months after Andrei Arshavin's move to Spurs was scuppered, he could be about to get tantalisingly close to a north London switch once again without success. Are the Russians still holding out for half of the signing-on fee?
1615: Andrei Arshavin has passed his medical at Arsenal, so he is very, very close now to completing his move from Zenit. I cannot wait to see that little genius from Euro 2008 in the Premier League.
1611: "Denilson on his way to Newcastle on loan for rest of season - was already a done deal, pending Arshavin deal."
Lameduck at SJP, via text on 81111
1604: "Thanks Arsenal for the snow. Arshavin said the UK was to warm and he would miss the snow. Looks like Arsenal have taken massive measures to make him sign!"
MontyPanesar on 606
1601: See 1554 - duh, Denilson's number 15. So where is the Brazilian going...
1600: ONE HOUR TO GO UNTIL THE TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSES
1558: This just in from BBC Radio 5 Live's Mike Sewell: "Arsenal and Zenit have agreed a fee and I understand personal terms have also been agreed and Andrei Arshavin is having a medical this afternoon. But there is a but, as Zenit want half of his signing-on fee for signing for Arsenal. That is now the sticking point." Hmm. They've got (weather permitting) 62 minutes to sort it out.
1554: "I work in the Arsenal club shop and have done 20 Arshavin shirts with squad number 15 - my manager has given us the go ahead."
John G from the Emirates, via text on 81111
True or just more boohaaah ? We will know definately before midnight but I'm weary that this is the only signing we are discussing. Is this the only way we are looking at strengthening our squad for the rest of the 2008/9 campaign ?
Don't forget that Andrei Arshavin is 27 and Wenger has a euthanasia policy marginally more lenient that "Logan's Run" which gives him realistically 2.5 years with us before he "gets frustrated at stalled contract negitiations" while demanding 3 more years in a renewal. We've all seen it happen SO many times at Arsenal and we can see it happening again. This (very likely scenario) would bring more unsettling rumours and feelings back to our squad.
I hope Wenger has put a call into Glen Hoddle's (and who actually was previously hired by Wenger at Monaco) psycho-therapist. Either that or sign Paul McKenna until the end of the season.
