Arshavin, born in Saint Petersburg in 1981 when it was still known as Leningrad, started his career in the Zenit reserves in 1999 while still a teenager. Almost a decade at the club saw him score 71 goals in 310 matches and win Russian premier league titles as well as the UEFA Cup in 2008. He also lit up the 2008 Euro where Russia reached the semi finals.

Arshavin was one of the stars of Zenit's 2008 UEFA Cup-winning side and Russia's Euro 2008 campaign. He then moved to Arsenal but his career failed to flourish despite a promising start and he spent most of the time on the bench.

Arshavin's is the most high-profile departure. The Russian international joined from Zenit Saint Petersburg in February 2009 and made an instant impression, notably scoring four goals in a 4-4 draw at Liverpool four months after his arrival.

Arshavin will be out of contract at the end of the season, but says he is open to play for any other club in Europe or back in Russia.

Arsenal star Andrey Arshavin insists he always felt his side could produce one of the greatest escape acts in the club's history as the Gunners fought back from four goals down to beat Reading 7-5.

Mikel Arteta halted Arsenal's slump on Saturday by producing a late winner against 10-man Queens Park Rangers, clinching a 1-0 victory in the Premier League despite another unconvincing performance from the hosts.

Russian forward Andrei Arshavin has been left out of Arsenal's 18-man squad for Tuesday's Champions League football opener against Montpellier in France.

Russia manager Fabio Capello left Arsenal forward Andrei Arshavin out of his 24-man squad to play 2014 World Cup Group F qualifying matches with Northern Ireland in Moscow on September 7 and Israel at Ramat Gan four days later.

Russian football captain and fan favourite Andrei Arshavin was ensnared in scandal on Tuesday after being caught on tape saying it was the fans' "problem" that his squad were knocked out of Euro 2012.

Veteran Greece captain Giorgos Karagounis halted Russia's Euro 2012 campaign in its tracks here on Saturday, as the underdogs unexpectedly beat the Group A early pacesetters 1-0 to reach the last eight instead.