Wenger 'hopeful' of Arshavin deal .

Arsene Wenger is still "hopeful" that Arsenal will sign Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg before the end of the current transfer window.

The Arsenal boss said no deal is imminent for the 27-year-old Russian playmaker but he remains optimistic.

"I'm very hopeful, in days, yes," he said. "We are not close to signing today [but] we know what we want to do.

Manchester City and Italian champions Inter Milan are also reported to be interested in the midfielder.

Wenger said he would like to get a deal sorted out before the end of January but he is aware that he is running out of time.

The Gunners manager talked up the talents of key players currently unavailable because of injuries, adding: "We want to continue to improve and to focus on what we can improve here with the players we have."

"Do not forget we have (Tomas) Rosicky, (Cesc) Fabregas and (Theo) Walcott, all creative and offensive who will come back at some stage and that is like being in the transfer market for us," he said.

"Eduardo is two to three weeks off too, which is like a new signing."

Arsenal's current transfer record fee is £13m paid to Bordeaux for Sylvain Wiltord in 2000 but they could be forced to break it to acquire Arshavin.