1) Andrei Arshavin was born in St Petersburg on 30 May 1981. He started playing football at the age of 7, and graduated from the Smena football school.
2) In 1999 Arshavin joined Russian Second Division side Zenit-2, the de facto reserve side of his local side Zenit St. Petersburg.
3) A year later he made his full debut for the seniors in an Intertoto Cup tie in the none-more-salubrious surroundings of Bradfords Valley Parade ground. Zenit St Petersburg beat the home side 3-0.
5) This YouTube compilation shows just why the Russians value him so highly. Not sure why they chose to soundtrack it with Radiohead, mind.
6) He made his debut for the Russian senior side on 17 May 2002 against Belarus. Arshavin scored his first goal a year later, in a friendly against Romania on 13 February 2003. He has so far scored 15 goals in 41 appearances.
7) In 2007, Arshavin helped Zenit St. Petersburg to the Russian Premier League title, the clubs first since winning the old Soviet Top League in 1984. As Rangers fans know to their cost, he was also instrumental in the Russians 2008 UEFA Cup winning side.
8) Arshavin lists his hobby as creating goals for the team, which must make those long Russian winter nights fly by.
9) When not setting up team mates, he also likes to dabble in fashion. He once wrote a thesis on the development of the sports wear production process, and graduated with a diploma in fashion design. Surely a transfer to Milan would appeal?
10) Arshavin's agent reckons a move to one of Europe's big three leagues is on the cards. We know that there are several clubs in Spain, England and Italy who are all interested in Arshavin and the key leagues for the player are the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, said his man. Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal have all been linked with him
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