Arsenal star Andrey Arshavin is being blamed for Guus Hiddink's downfall as Russia coach.

The Sun says the former Chelsea boss has come in for stinging criticism after losing to Slovenia in a play-off - despite earning £9MILLION a year.

Hate figure Hiddink has been branded 'a kind grandad' who is unable to control the Russkies' big-name players.

Reports claim Hiddink lost the dressing room following a string of bust-ups with several of his stars - including Andrey Arshavin and Tottenham's Roman Pavlyuchenko - over tactics.

Arsenal ace Arshavin is even said to have given his own team talks that contradicted Hiddink's instructions.