New Delhi: The midfield prompter is known for his vision on the pitch and not on the world's currency market, but his decision to protect himself against the economic downturn has led Andrei Arshavin to reduce his price.
Reports in Britain and Russia suggest that Arshavin is willing to take a pay cut in order to finalise a deal with Arsenal.
The Premier League side are moving closer to an accord with the player's club, Zenit St Petersburg, and a fee is expected to be struck at a considerably lower figure than Arshavin's market value in the summer.
The economic downturn has left clubs with more modest budget constraints and Zenit are likely to accept less than £20 million for the 27-year-old.
The global credit crunch has also led Arshavin to the decision to accept a lower wage at the Emirates than what was on offer at the Petrovsky Stadium.
The St Petersburg-born star currently has his contract arranged to be paid in euros rather than roubles, and with the varying fortunes of the euro and the sterling, Arshavin is thought to be ready to seek reduced terms at Arsene Wenger' side.
Estimates put Arshavin's wage in the €70,000 bracket, a sum which is unlikely to be commanded at Arsenal.
As such, the player is ready to knock down his price.
Wenger is determined to add cover to his squad over the winter, with an out of sorts backline only one of his worries.
Midfield options have been hindered by injuries to captain Cesc Fabregas, Czech schemer Tomas Rosicky and winger Theo Walcott.
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