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LONDON – Arsenal's new signing Andrei Arshavin had a message for the Gunners' fans as he set off on his new career at the Emirates Stadium: "Trust in me and Arsenal."

Arshavin, who hopes to help bring silverware to the Arsenal sideboard after some barren years, also said it had been a "dream move" and told Sky television cameras he been a "Gooner," or Arsenal supporter, for some time.

Arsenal confirmed the that the Russian playmaker had signed for the Premier League side on a "long-term" contract, believed to be three-and-a-half years.

The London club agreed a deal for the player with his former club, Zenit St Petersburg, just minutes before Monday's 1700 GMT transfer deadline and had to wait until Tuesday for the move to be ratified by the Premier League.

Arsenal have not yet released information about Arshavin's fee, but it is believed to be around 15 million pounds.

The club have not won a major competition since they triumphed over Manchester United in the FA Cup final in 2005, one year after they went unbeaten to claim the Premier League title.

The 27-year-old is adamant that he has joined one of the best clubs in the world and is sure he can help add silverware to the Gunners trophy cabinet.

The Russian revealed the prospect of playing under manager Arsene Wenger was one of many reasons why he had his heart set on the move.

Arshavin had been linked with a move to Barcelona after he shot to fame following his outstanding performances during Euro 2008, but the Russian said he was happy to join the Gunners, thanks partly due to Wenger.

Arshavin told Arsenal TV: "I moved because I like the Arsenal style, Wenger as a coach and I like some of their players."

The club are thought to have been locked in negotiations with Zenit over the switch since the transfer window re-opened.

"I followed each game and from the moment when I met Arsene Wenger," he added. "He told me every time I talked to him, he said: 'I want you to come to Arsenal.' He had confidence in me."

When asked if he had a message to the Arsenal fans, the 2006 Russian Footballer of the Year answered: "Trust in me and Arsenal."

LONDON – Russia international midfielder Andrei Arshavin of Zenit St Petersburg has joined Arsenal till June 2012 for 12 million pounds (13.3 million euros), sources at the Premiership club said on Monday.

The Gunners are now merely waiting on the Premier League to sign all the necessary paperwork for the deal to be made official.

The fee was far from the initial asking price the reigning UEFA Cup winners wanted of 20 million pounds, but included a substantial performance-linked bonus.

Conflicting signals had been emerging from Arsenal's Emirates stadium and Russia throughout the day as the 1700GMT deadline came and went and a Zenit club spokesman had even said the deal had fallen through.

The deal apparently hit a last minute snag when Zenit demanded a portion of Arshavin's signing on fee.

But other Russia news agencies were reporting that a deal had been struck on a three-and-a half year contract.

Gazeta.ru site nnounced that Arshavin, one of the stars at Euro 2008, had passed his medical and was now an Arsenal player, inheriting the Gunners' number 13 shirt.

He will probably not make his debut for the Gunners for a few weeks because he will have to work on physical conditioning to adapt to the rigours of the English game.

The 27-year-old was a major revelation at the Euro 2008 tournament when Russia reached the semi-finals, losing to eventual champions Spain.

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has on many occasions spoken of his admiration for the player.