Zenit stand firm on price
Zenit St Petersburg remain determined to stand firm on their asking price as Arsenal continue their pursuit of Andrei Arshavin.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was hoping to complete a deal for the Russian playmaker ahead of the FA Cup fourth-round trip to Cardiff.
However, any plans to blood the new signing at Ninian Park on Sunday look to have been scuppered as Zenit will not budge from their demand for £20million for the player.
While it is clear the Russians are resigned to losing the wantaway player, it will only be if the price is right.
With Arsenal, whose record transfer fee paid is £13million, having so far refused to match that figure - with them looking to lay out around £12m plus add-ons - the clubs appear to be at an impasse, although Zenit have indicated an improved cash bid up to £15million would secure the player's services.
It has even been suggested Arshavin, 27, could be willing to invoke new FIFA legislation and eventually buy himself out of the remainder of his contract later in the year should an agreement for his transfer not be reached this month.
Arsenal have so far not made any official comment, other than Wenger revealing negotiations were ongoing.
The Barclays Premier League club are, though, understood to have set a deadline of Monday one way or another for what has turned out to be the most protracted saga of the January transfer window.
While Wenger has indicated he does have other irons in the fire, one of which is reported to be West Ham's former Gunners defender Matthew Upson, it now seems almost certain there will be no fresh faces brought in before the squad depart for Wales.
Given their position in the Premier League - still outside the top four and six points behind new leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand - the FA Cup may well now present Arsenal's most likely source of silverware this season.
The Gunners, whose last trophy came when they beat United on penalties to win the famous old knockout competition in 2005, are likely to name a strong side for the clash with the Bluebirds, finalists at Wembley last season.
While striker Robin van Persie has already warned his team-mates to expect a hot reception at Ninian Park, one player who should feel right at home will be young midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
The Wales international, who turned 18 on Boxing Day, came up through the Cardiff youth ranks before joining the Gunners in a £5million deal during the summer.
Wenger feels Ramsey - who netted his first Arsenal goal in the 5-2 Champions League victory at Fenerbahce - has come a long way in a short time.
"He has not only made the step up from the Championship to the Premier League, but also to a Premier League team that wants to be at the top and who fights in the Champions League, and that means it is a massive difference at such a young age," Wenger told the official Arsenal magazine.
"I believe he did extremely well because he has drive and he can push the team forward.
"He is always available, he wants the ball and he is very dynamic in his play."
Wenger added: "Overall I am very pleased with his progress because I must say that he is ahead of where I planned for him to be in January.
"You have to remember though that he is still only just 18 years of age and you need to be a little bit patient with him.
"He has shown that every time we have picked him, he has responded in a very positive way."
Full-back Gael Clichy will be suspended for Sunday's televised encounter after picking up a fifth caution in last week's 3-1 Premier League win at Hull.
Gunners hope to capture Andrei soon
Arsenal look to be closing in on their pursuit of Russia international Andrei Arshavin - provided they can overcome the hurdle of the "unacceptable" fee demanded by Zenit St Petersburg, according to the player's agent.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has made the 27-year-old his number one target, but the Barclays Premier League club will not be held to ransom.
It had been reported the two parties were close to an agreement, with Arsenal understood to have returned with an improved £12million offer which also includes add-ons, while Zenit coach Dick Advocaat claimed a move was indeed imminent.
An Arsenal delegation is said to have traveled to St Petersburg in an attempt thrash out the final details of what has become a protracted saga.
However, the Russians - who made it to the Champions League for the first time this season - are demanding a hefty cash down-payment closer to £20million.
Arshavin's representative Dennis Lachter suggested any talk of a done deal was premature.
"We still have time, but unfortunately at the moment there is nothing to say about quick movement or new developments," Lachter told sports news website www.sport.co.uk.
"Definitely money is still the sticking point. I think Zenit is still asking for an unacceptable amount of money, they are still playing very tough."
Whether or not Arsenal will meet the demands of the Russians and break their £13million transfer record remains to be seen - with Wenger playing things cool at the end of last week, suggesting the time it would take for Arshavin to adapt to the English game could well come into play when he considered any deal.
On the pitch, the Gunners extended their unbeaten Premier League run to eight games with a 3-1 win at Hull, which left them still outside the top four but having at least made up ground on Liverpool after their 1-1 with Merseyside rivals Everton last night.
Arsenal are in FA Cup action this weekend, when they travel to Coca-Cola Championship side Cardiff - last season's beaten finalists.
Wales teenager Aaron Ramsey could face his former club, his final appearance for the Bluebirds having come at Wembley ahead of a £5million summer move to Emirates Stadium.
Striker Robin van Persie admits the trip to Ninian Park on Sunday will be no easy ride.
"Cardiff City have incredible fans," said the Dutchman.
"I watched them at Ninian Park a couple of times when I went to visit my old mate Glenn Loovens last season.
"He would always tell me tales about their fans - and then I witnessed it for myself. They are passionate, they are outstanding in their support.
"The atmosphere will be similar to that at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium - and we lost [2-1 in the Premier League] there.
"It is going to be tough. I would be far happier if we had been at home, but if we match their work-rate I am positive we can come out on top."
