Arshavin goes on strike

Tottenham Hotspur target Andrei Arshavin has reportedly gone on strike at Zenit St Petersburg, while his agent claims the playmaker is trapped in a dictatorship.

The Russia international impressed at Euro 2008 to spark a summer bidding war for his services, with Barcelona having two offers rejected.

Tottenham are now believed to be in the box-seat to land Arshavin, but the move could be in jeopardy after the 27-year-old refused to play as Zenit crashed out if the Russian Cup on Wednesday.

To Arshavin's frustration, the Uefa Cup holders are refusing to budge from their €34million valuation and White Hart Lane officials are unwilling to meet the price tag.

Echo the comments of Fifa president Sepp Blatter in the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga, Arshavin's agent, Dennis Lachter, claims the player is being mistreated, telling The Independent : "This is the Russian way.

"Nothing will change because this is the old Soviet Union way. For the Russian sports establishment the desires of the player mean absolutely nothing.

"They are the big bosses. It is a dictatorship. He is a slave."

© 2008 The Irish Times