Source: Daily_Mail
Andrey Arshavin: I'd have loved Spurs move and Arsenal are no Barcelona!
Andrey Arshavin admits he is having difficulty getting used to life in England.
The Arsenal star says he was gutted when a move to Barcelona broke down after Euro 2008 and believes Spain would be easier to adapt to than 'expensive' England.
Arshavin also revealed he was so close to a move to Tottenham Hotspur last year that he held talks with then White Hart Lane boss Juande Ramos.
The Russia forward eventually sealed a £15million move from Zenit St Petersburg to Arsenal in February and insists the Gunners are second best only to European champions Barca when it comes to entertainment.
'The most beautiful football isn't here, but at Barcelona,' Arshavin told Russian website Bobsoccer. 'But after them, perhaps Arsenal.
'We are probably missing two top players.'
The 28-year-old idolised Barca as a child and came close to clinching a dream move to the Nou Camp last year.
The move stalled when Arshavin starred at Euro 2008, where Russia finished third, and the Catalans refused to up their £12million bid.
'When the transfer collapsed, of course I was upset,' he said. 'But then I took it as fact. It was fate.
'And of course I moved to Arsenal. I think my current club are the second most entertaining in modern football. It was well worth it.'
It could have been so much different if Tottenham had been able to agree a fee with Zenit in August last year.
Arshavin says he had talks in broken English with Spaniard Ramos, adding: 'I was not against a move to Tottenham. If it was down to just me to reach an agreement, the move could have taken place.'
Despite his eagerness to move to London, the Russia captain admits he has struggled to fit into his new surroundings.
'On one hand I love it here,' he said. 'On the other, I haven't said anything about the difficulties.
'In Spain, for example, everything seems easier. England, in general, is different from many European countries, in terms of lifestyle and mentality.
'In domestic terms, I confess, it is difficult. They say that a foreigner only adapts to London after living there for a year, so I still have three months left!
'Here you have to pay every step of the way. Sometimes I have to shell out to breathe!'
Arshavin believes Arsenal are safe in the hands of Arsene Wenger, but is not backing his team to claim the Champions League crown that the French boss lacks.
'It will be difficult, but it is possible,' Arshavin said of the Gunners' chances of winning the Champions League this season. 'I would single out four teams as the favourites: Barcelona, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea.'
