Anzhi in talks to sign Arsenal's Arshavin

Russian giants Anzhi Makhachkala have begun preliminary talks to sign Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin, according to Sky Sports.

The 30-year-old has 18 months left on his current deal and has been linked with a move away from Emirates Stadium this month.

A host of clubs in his homeland are keen and now Anzhi Makhachkala have made their move.

The Russian transfer window also has another three weeks to run, so Arsenal do not have to agree a deal on Tuesday - like they would a domestic deal.

He joined Arsenal three years ago for £12 million, but he become a target for fans this season following a number of below-par performances.

Arshavin was jeered by fans when he came in as a substitute for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the league match against Manchester United at the Emirates.

It was another low for Arshavin who arrived at Arsenal as one of the most exciting forwards in the world.

He was the creative catalyst for a great Zenit St Petersburg side: he guided them to the Russian title in 2007, and the Uefa Cup in 2008.

Weeks after that final, he placed himself within the very top category of European football at Euro 2008.

A remarkable performance of touch and imagination won Russia their quarter-final 3-1 against the Dutch, with Arshavin creating the first and scoring the second of Russia's two extra-time goals.

So when he arrived in January 2009, for a club-record fee, it was with the expectation that he would take Arsenal closer to success.

He started well, with his famous haul of four at Anfield that April. But that was the peak of his Arsenal career, and he has been on the down slope ever since.

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