Arshavin is an impact player

Andrei Arshavin, who signed a four-and-half year contract with Arsenal, has all the praise from new boss Arsene Wenger. Wenger expressed his delight in signing the Russian playmaker.

Wenger said that Arshavin is an impact player and a versatile one whom he had admired. "He is an exciting impact player, a versatile player with great experience."

Arshavin's signing has been one of the most talked about transfers in recent times. It took 228 days and 23 hours after the 'deadline' for Arsenal to land him. Ironically, he has been given the jersey number 23.

The delay in signing the player was caused by the heavy snowfall that shutdown the airports and stopped all the employees in FA getting to work on Monday to do the paperwork.

Arsenal CEO, Ivan Gazidis, said that the deadline helped them sign the player. He said "The nature of deadlines in general is that people will wait till the last minute to make concessions on any deals, you would need to let the clock run down."

Ivan Gazidis is also happy that Arshavin is taking English lessons for a couple of years and is ready to do it two days a week. "He is focused, driven and intelligent. His English is excellent."