Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has told Andrey Arshavin to find a new club in January – or risk being frozen out for the remaining months left on his contract.
Arshavin, who is Arsenal's record signing at £15million, has endured a mixed time in north London following his switch from Zenit in 2009.
The Russian star initially hit the ground running and helped fire Arsenal up the table, but in the last 12 months his form has been in rapid decline.
It got so bad that Arshavin was forced to spend the final stages of last season on loan – playing 10 times for former club Zenit as they reclaimed the Russian Premier League.
The 31-year-old subsequently returned to Arsenal, having failed to agree a transfer away, and has since become a peripheral figure.
The final blow came during this week's Champions League fixture against Olympiakos, in which Arshavin only made the bench despite Wenger fielding a selection of his reserve players.
It's just the latest example of the strained relationship Arshavin shares with Gunners boss Wenger, with the Frenchman now telling the playmaker he should try and find a new club in January or risk not playing again this season.
