Well I Guess It's NOT Over

So, after 24 hours of hearing that the deal for Arshavin was finally done, guess what?  It's not.

Instead we're being told that the deal is still tangled because Arshavin and Arsenal have yet to agree on personal terms.  I wrote yesterday that it seemed odd that this would be the case since everyone was reporting that Arshavin and the Gunners had already reached a basic deal and all they were waiting on was Zenit's approval.

So what's the hold up?   Uh...I don't know, but here are some of the reported issues:

1. Who pays the fees of Arshavin's agent?  We're talking about a fee along the lines of 2 to 3.5 million pounds.   Zenit want that fee to be paid by Arsenal.  Arsenal have never paid an agent's fees and that's unlikely to change now.  They feel that's something the player should pay.  And Arshavin's agent only cares that he gets his fee paid.

 2. Arshavin is seeking a pay packet over 100,000 pound per week.  The highest paid players at Arsenal right now are Adebayor and Fabregas -- at 80,000 pounds per week.  The idea that any new player (nevermind one that's yet to prove himself in the Premier League) would receive such a pay packet from Arsene Wenger is laughable and brings to question Arshavin's "desire" to leave Zenit.

 3. Zenit are still holding for a fee close to their 20 million pound valuation.  Uh, that's a deal breaker.

At this point (Tuesday night), I think that unless a miracle happens, this deal will not go through.  And part of me is disappointed -- as someone over at the WSD boards mentioned, imagine a midfield of Nasri, Cesc, Rosicky and Arshavin.  Then again, part of me just wants a resolution.

If Arsenal want to kill this deal and go looking elsewhere I understand.  

BTW, tomorrow's game pits us against Everton.  And don't look so surprised but we're only 9 points off the lead and 6 behind Liverpool and Chelsea.  In short, while I think a title challenge is still too far away, the Top 4 finish that we need isn't.  Tomorrow's game is paramount to that end.  And the last few days in the transfer window should bring some help.  

We always leave it late in the transfer window and we've been leaving it late in the league so far this season.  I can see both trends continuing.