Arshavin set for debut

Even the wordiest of Russia's great novelists would have struggled to match the epic length of Arsenal's pursuit of Andrey Arshavin.
But now the chase has been brought to a successful conclusion, English football will discover whether the wait has been worthwhile.
Arshavin, having finally completed his protracted move from Zenit St Petersburg on Tuesday, is being considered for a potentially explosive debut in Sunday's north London derby with Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsene Wenger would doubtless have preferred to ease in his new playmaker via a less volatile fixture, given both his lack of recent match practice - the Russian season ended in November - and the unique physical challenge posed by the harum-scarum Premier League.
But Arsenal's situation is so precarious, he simply has no room for niceties. Having fallen five points behind the top four courtesy of some wildly inconsistent form this season, Arshavin will be expected to make an immediate impact, especially as a smattering of the club's more creative forces - Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott - remain out with long-term injuries.
"I believe he is talented, intelligent and motivated, Wenger said.”When you have these things together, you always have a chance to make an impact, but you have to give him time as well.
"I will have reservations (about playing him), because the worst thing for a player is not being ready to play in a game of that intensity, or getting injured before having kicked a ball for the team. But we will see what shape he is in."
Wenger sought to ease some of the pressure on his new arrival by stressing the strengths of the players around him, and the fact that Arsenal are currently in the midst of their longest unbeaten run of the season.
"We have what it takes, without Arshavin," he insisted. "The team is maturing - we have shown that against Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. This team can compete with anybody."
But the fact remains that Arshavin has come to be seen as the saviour of Arsenal's season - the conjuror capable of transforming frustrating draws into precious victories with a canny pass, quicksilver run or clinical finish. In short, delivering the same kind of footballing alchemy he regularly produces for his national side.