Akinfeev Keen To Join Andrey Arshavin At Arsenal

• Poignant

  26 Jul 10, 17:24

  CSKA Moscow 'Keeper Igor Akinfeev Keen To Join Andrey Arshavin At Arsenal

  Russian international is also a target of United and Juventus.

  

  RPL: Igor Akinfeev - CSKA

  
  

  CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev is looking to join Russia team-mate Andrey Arshavin at Arsenal.
  
  The 24-year-old is a target of the Gunners and Manchester United after some terrific performances in the Champions League last season.
  
  However, Arsenal have pulled ahead of United after Arshavin talked up the Gunners to his international team-mate.
  
   “Arsenal and Manchester United are two of the very best clubs in the world," Akinfeev told The Sun. <!-- if (!ord) var ord = Math.round(Math.random() * 100000000); dblClickIndex++; document.write('<iframe class="ad160x600" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/gna.enus/level2;tile=' + dblClickIndex + ';sz=160x600;ord=' + ord + '?area=2l&pos=2&ord=' + ord + '" ');document.write(' noresize="noresize" scrolling="no" hspace="0" vspace="0" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" allowTransparency="true" width="160" height="600">');document.write('<scr');document.write('ipt type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/');document.write('gna.enus/level2;tile=' + dblClickIndex + ';sz=160x600;ord=' + ord + '?area=2l&pos=2&ord=' + ord + '">');document.write('</scr');document.write('ipt>');document.write('</iframe>'); // --> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/gna.enus/level2;tile=4;sz=160x600;ord=253886?area=2l&pos=2&ord=253886"></script>
  
  “If both of them are going to be looking for keepers this summer – or even the next summer – then of course I am interested.
  
  “I have spoken with Arshavin about Arsenal and London life. He has only had good things to say about the club and the city.
  
  “He said some very nice things about me going on to be the best goalkeeper in the world – and that he would like me to reach that goal at Arsenal with him.
  
  “They are a great club with a great manager. Of course there is every chance this will be the last season for Edwin Van der Sar.
  
  “To be the No.1 for Manchester United would be a great honor too.
  
  “They are the biggest football club in the world and, to be their No.1 for a length of time, you know you will have success."
  
  Akinfeev also acknowledged that Serie A giants Juventus have expressed interest in him, but the Russian goalkeeper wants to move to England after Arshavin’s glowing recommendation of the Premier League.
  
  “Juventus have also expressed an interest in me – but Arshavin has sold England to me very well.
  
  “My contract doesn’t expire until 2013 but I have a great relationship with my president.
  
  “If the right offer, both for me and the club came in, I don’t think anybody would stand in my way.
  
  “I have been in Russia for a lot of years now and feel ready for a new challenge.”