Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is desperate to close a £20 million deal for Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Andrei Arshavin.

The Mirror says Wenger knows the loss of skipper Cesc Fabregas is likely to have an increasing effect and that a big-name signing would lift the morale of fans and players.

But while chairman Peter Hill-Wood has suggested there is no money to spend, the Arsenal boss is keen to complete a deal which will make people stand up.

Wenger said: "I feel that if we do add somebody, we add somebody who has a special class.

"And I would like to think longer term than just whether that player is eligible for the Champions League this season."