Arsenal completed a deal for acquiring Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg on Tuesday, said the English Premier League club.

The contract, a long-term one for an undisclosed fee according to the Gunners' website, was completed in "extra time" after the transfer window closed and had to await a confirmation by the Permier League.

"We are delighted to have signed Andrei Arshavin, he is a player I have admired for a long time," said manager Arsene Wengervia the club's website.

British media reported Arshavin had agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract and had cost Arsenal around 15 million pounds (about 21.35 million U.S. dollars).

The 27-year-old midfielder passed a medical Monday in snowbound London, but Arsenal failed to announce a deal before the 1700 GMT transfer window deadline.

England's top-flight clubs were granted a conditional extension due to the heavy snow while the Premier League required the clubs to send an email confirming "that a deal has been agreed in principle".

After the stunning win of the UEFA Cup with Zenit last summer, Arshavin shone at Euro 2008 to help his nation's soccer team made the semifinals.

Having been linked with several top clubs since the Euros, he eventually appeared in front of fans at the Emirates stadium holding a shirt with the number 23.

"It was very hard days for me but now it doesn't matter, now I am a Gunner, it's important," Arshavin told Sky Sports News.

(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 4, 2009)