Andrey Arshavin's agent has stated that his client wants to stay at Arsenal, despite interest from cash-rich Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala.

The attacking midfielder has lost form and the fans’ backing over the last 12 months, and has been linked with a move back to his homeland.

This is still possible due to the Russian transfer window not closing until February 24th, but representative Phil Smith has moved to quash rumours that he is ready to leave the Emirates Stadium.

“Andrey doesn’t think it is time to go back yet,” Smith told Goal.com.

“He still feels he has a lot to do at Arsenal. He wants to win something, fulfil his ambitions and recover his form both for Arsenal and ahead of the European Championships.

“The Russia window lasts until 24th February and a guy representing Anzhi has made a tentative approach. But Andrey is not going to talk to the Russians because he doesn’t want to leave and Arsenal don’t want him to go, either. A lot depends on the summer," he concluded.

If Arshavin does stay he will buck the trend of his countrymen in 2012, as Roman Pavlyuchenko and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov both left the Premier League to return home in January.

By Gareth McKnight

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