After the longest-running saga of the January 2009 transfer window, the Gunners submitted the necessary paperwork ahead of Monday's 5pm deadline and announced that the deal was finally completed on Tuesday afternoon.

"Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that Russian international midfielder, Andrey Arshavin has joined the Gunners from Zenit St Petersburg on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee," read a statement on the Arsenal website.

The player, who had been in London for two days waiting to tie-up the deal, said he was delighted with the move.

"They were very hard days for me but now it doesn't matter, now I am a Gooner, it's important," Arshavin told Sky Sports News in English while greeting fans outside the Emirates.

"I am not fit at the moment, and it is up to Arsene (Wenger) to decide if I play (against Tottenham in the North London derby)."

Though the fee is officially undisclosed, Zenit have claimed the Gunners have paid £16.5 million for the player, significantly more than the earlier £12m fee reported.

A statement on the Russian club's website said: "Zenit, Arsenal and Andrei Arshavin have concluded talks in London.

"The St Petersburg club will receive £16.5m - £15m for the transfer of the player and £1.5m compensation for breaking a long-term contract.

"In addition there is a further 500,000 euros in bonuses which Arshavin has not yet received which will not be paid and instead make up part of the transfer sum.

"The overall sum of the transfer is around $24m (£17m)."

It is believed Arshavin will wear the number 13 shirt vacated by Alexander Hleb when he joined Barcelona last year.

The 27-year-old was identified early on as Wenger looked to compensate for the losses of long-term injury absentees Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott, who is expected to be fit for a first-team return in four weeks.

Wenger was adamant at the weekend his flagging squad did not need an "instant saviour" but Arshavin, who starred for his country in last year's European Championships, is seen as a potentially galvanising influence for a side who are enduring one of their most disappointing seasons under Wenger.