Gazidis plays down Arshavin 'drama'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis feels the protracted transfer of Andrei Arshavin has been overly "dramatised".
Confirmation the Russia international had completed his move to the Gunners was not officially announced by the Barclays Premier League club until late on Tuesday afternoon - almost 24 hours after the transfer deadline.
Despite the authorities having now rubbed-stamped the move - with the Premier League insisting the deal between Arsenal and Zenit St Petersburg was done "substantively" ahead of the window closing - the issue is set to be raised at a meeting of the 20 member clubs in central London today.
The Gunners, however, maintain all procedures were followed correctly, with Arshavin scheduled to return to England once the formalities of his work permit application have been completed to begin life as an Arsenal player.
Gazidis only formally took up his position earlier this month following a successful stint as the deputy commissioner of Major League Soccer in the United States.
The South Africa-born Oxford graduate was glad to have finally seen the Gunners' only first-team transfer completed.
"We probably bored everybody, and I think everyone got a bit tired of the on-going story," Gazidis told Arsenal TV Online.
"It took longer than anybody would have wanted to get to a conclusion, but we got there in the end.
"People dramatise these things a little bit.
"It was never on until it finally got done, but it was not on and off through the day either.
"Certainly it went closer to the deadline than I would have liked, but sometimes you have to do that to finally push it over the finish line."
Arsenal travel to north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday, when they could be further behind their challengers for a top-four finish.
Arshavin, though, is not expected to feature at White Hart Lane as he builds up match fitness following the end of the Russian domestic season in November.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments