Dinamo Moscow have already signed a trio of Russian internationals from Anzhi -- captain Igor Denisov, former Chelsea midfielder Yury Zhirkov and striker Alexander Kokorin. Midfielder Oleg Shatov has also joined Zenit St Petersburg while Morocco international Moubarak Boussoufa made the same move as Diarra by joining Lokomotiv.

Anzhi had their sights set on a place in the Champions League in 2014 -- an achievement that would have been unthinkable for a squad from the violence-wrecked North Caucasus just a few years ago.

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.

Russian champions Zenit Saint Petersburg said on Friday their star striker Alexander Kerzhakov was back in the squad after rebelling over the big money signing of Brazilian Hulk from Porto.

The demoted leader of Russian champions Zenit Saint Petersburg on Monday branded Brazilian striker Hulk a second-rate star who did not merit a contract whose size has sparked an open revolt on the team.

At Euro 2008 Igor Denisov's name was mud with Russia's then coach Dutchman Guus Hiddink -- roll forward four years and he is being hailed by Hiddink's successor compatriot Dick Advocaat as their man of the match against Poland in last Tuesday's Group A clash.