Arshavin excited by challenge

Andrey Arshavin has been handed the number 29 at new club Zenit

Andrey Arshavin has set his sights on retaining the Russian title with Zenit St Petersburg following his loan move from Arsenal.

The 30-year-old completed his move back to his former club with minutes remaining in the Russian transfer window.

And the midfielder admitted he was surprised by the approach from Zenit as he was prepared to see out the rest of the season in North London.

Arshavin told Sports Express: "I was contacted by Zenit this week, a couple of days before the (Russian) transfer window closed. In my present situation this opportunity seemed ideal for me.

"I hadn't even been thinking much about signing for Zenit."

Coincidence

Zenit have handed Arshavin the number 29, which is just a coincidence that his birthday on the 29th of May. "Honestly I didn't think about it (that I have my birthday on 29) at that moment, I just realised it later."

And when Arshavin was asked about his current form, he replied: "I'm in normal form. I'm ready to play - that's absolutely sure."