Reports in last Tuesday’s Independent have claimed that Zenit St Petersburg would be willing to offer Andrei Arshavin an escape from arsenal“>Arsenal and a return to Russia. It seems most Arsenal fans wouldn’t shed too many tears if the midfielder was to leave this summer, especially to a club that offers no threat domestically or in Europe. Arsene Wenger would probably try and keep the Russian if one of Europe’s elite clubs came in for the player but a return to Zenit could represent a good deal for Arsenal.

The Independent reports that Andrei Arshavin would be welcomed back to the club with open arms and that the Russian could be the first of many to be shown the door at the Emirates following yet another trophy-less season for Arsenal.

Sporting director Igor Korneev told talkSPORT: “Zenit’s doors are always open for Andrei. If his situation at Arsenal does not improve and he’s not comfortable in London, we can study this issue in time for next season.”

To most fans it seems crazy that Arsenal would want to sell a player that offers so much when he is on his game. There have been games where Arshavin has been totally unplayable and although he has been inconsistent this season, in the big games he has shown his true talents. Without a doubt Arsenal need a shake up this summer but surely the Gunners need to get their priorities straight this summer. He was not the reason Arsenal failed this season, although he seems to be a convenient scapegoat for some fans. Can Arsenal really afford to lose what Arshavin brings to the squad?

He has scored six times in thirty three games, but impressively has claimed 12 assists. In any league and in any team that can’t be sniffed at. If you take those assists away from Arsenal this season, would they have challenged at the top for so long? When you consider that Gareth Bale, the PFA Player of the year, has only contributed seven goals with two assists in the Premier League, Andrey’s worth becomes more apparent.

Arshavin is a quality player and if Arsenal spend this summer it seems that they will look to finance deals with his departure. The Russian is too good a player to be warming the Arsenal bench, finding a system that suits Arshavin seems the most logical path to go down. He has been booed a few times this season and that may sway his decision to leave The Emirates. A return to Russia would demonstrate an easy route out for Arshavin, and a talent would be wasted. Arshavin should be playing in one of the top European leagues and competing for top European medals. Arsenal fans may miss him if he does decide to leave.