Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has described the UEFA rule that denies Andrey Arshavin the chance to play for the Gunners in the Champions League this season as 'illogical'. Competition rules dictate no player can represent two different clubs in the same campaign, and Arshavin has already played for Zenit St Petersburg this season in the competition.

Wenger said: "I am frustrated because Arshavin played in a team that is out of the competition so the logic is not really obvious.

"If he can play in the Premier League and the FA Cup, why not be qualified for us in the Champions League?

"He has played for a team that cannot play any more in the Champions League and who now plays in the UEFA Cup.

"It's the rule so I guess we cannot complain too much because we knew that when we bought him."