Source: Daily_Mail
Bag your own Arshavin: Zhirkov, Pogrebnyak and four more stars to snare from Russia with love
Andrey Arshavin is fast showing that players can make the transition from the Russian to the Barclays Premier League.
They said he was too small, that it was too big a step up from Zenit St Petersburg, but his four goals for Arsenal in the thrilling 4-4 draw at Liverpool show why Arsene Wenger paid £12million for his services.
Despite the lack of media attention, the former Soviet country is home to one of the most competitive and exciting leagues in Europe, with cash-rich CSKA Moscow and Zenit St Petersburg attracting some of the best players in the world.
The English are set to take their shopping trolleys east in the summer, so Sportsmail presents six of the best talents who could take the same trail blazed recently by the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Jo, and Roman Pavlyuchenko...
Yuri Zhirkov
CSKA Moscow, 25
A skilful and versatile left-sided player dubbed Russia's Ronaldinho. The raiding wide man operates effectively down the wing for Roman Abramovich's favourite club but was deployed at full back in Russia's march to the Euro 2008 semi-finals. Occasionally pops up with a spectacular goal, though he is more of a provider.
Would suit: Chelsea seem in pole position for his summer signature, though he is likely to cost at least £15million. Would also be a good successor to Ryan Giggs at Manchester United or could improve Liverpool's left. Definitely in top four class.
Hard to handle: Spartak Moscow's Vladimir Bystrov (left) and Sergei Parshivlyuk try to get to grips with CSKA's Yuri Zhirkov
Denis Kolodin
Dynamo Moscow, 27
A defender who gets better with age. Plenty of competition from CSKAtwins Aleksei and Vasili Berezutski for a place in the Russia side, butthe uncompromising centre-half beat them both to be named in theRussian Premier League's team of the season last year.
Also likes ashot from distance and takes Dynamo's penalties after converting frommidfield.
Would suit: Arsenal could do with some talent to go with experience, judging by Mikael Silvestre's disappointing performance at Anfield. Ditto Manchester City or Newcastle. Hull could do with him, but are unlikely to have the funds to prise Kolodin from Dynamo.
Vagner Love
CSKA Moscow, 24
Brazil striker who, thanks to a leaked sex tape, has made headlines for his off-field antics as much as his brilliance as CSKA's main goal threat.
Not quite reached the same heights for his country, but lethal in the Russian league - with 91 goals in 170 matches - and looked classy in the UEFA Cup defeat of Aston Villa.
Would suit: Linked to about half of the Premier League in the last 18 months.
Maybe not quite one for the big four, but could be a star at Everton, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland. CSKA don't need to cash in, but Love (left) would like to test himself in England.
Pavel Pogrebnyak
Zenit St Petersburg, 25
Imposing Russia striker who scored against Manchester United in Zenit's UEFA Super Cup victory back in August. The Zenit hit-man was the perfect target man for Arshavin to play off at the Petrovsky Stadium, but is often left out for Roman Pavlyuchenko in the national team.
Would suit: Out of contract in November, so Zenit will take a cut-price deal in the summer if they cannot convince him to sign a new deal. Wants a top-four English club and Arsenal have been linked, but Blackburn and Bolton came closest to signing him in January. Fulham, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Wigan would also benefit, but if Bayern Munich follow up interest, he'll be off to the Bundesliga.
Milos Krasic
CSKA Moscow, 24
Can play on the right, but is probably most effective when given plenty of freedom as a central attacking midfielder.
An emerging talent, the Serbia star (right) has been favourably compared to Pavel Nedved and was part of CSKA's glorious 2005 UEFA Cup-winning campaign.
Would suit: Looks like a Tottenham player - though they already have the similar Luka Modric. Has the type of flair that would be appreciated by so-called entertainers such as Newcastle United and West Ham, though Aston Villa may be keen after the way he played against them earlier this year.
Igor Akinfeev
CSKA Moscow, 23
Stunning shot-stopper who is CSKA's captain despite his young age. Experienced, though, having broken into the side at 17, and has also been Russia's regular No 1 since making his debut soon after his 18th birthday. The rock behind CSKA's copious successes earlier this decade and the club are likely to resist any predators.
Would suit: It's a fantasy that they would be able to lure him, but Stoke and West Bromwich Albion could do with his talents. Only marginally more realistic would be an approach from Arsenal, Chelsea or Tottenham.
