Premier League Transfers: 15 Talented Imports Who Completely Flopped

10. Andrei Arshavin

Yet another example of a player bought after an impressive international tournament and failing to consistently reproduce that form at club level. Andrei Arshavin was the star player of an impressive Russian team that made it to the semi-finals of Euro 2008- though Arshavin was banned for the first two group games. Though he had been a key player for a successful Zenit St. Petersburg side for a number of seasons, his performances at the Euros enhanced his reputation to another level. Arshavin was reportedly courted by a number of clubs including Barcelona and Tottenham, but it was Arsenal that landed his signature. Arshavin was signed by Arsenal for a then club record sum and was seen as a real coup for the Gunners, and perhaps a sign that the Gunners were now ready to compete at the top level again. Of course we know that didn€™t happen, but with Arshavin joining a team that included Fabregas, Van Persie and Samir Nasri- it€™s easy to understand the optimism. The highlight of the Russian€™s time in the Premier League was undoubtedly the game at Anfield, in which he scored every Arsenal goal in a 4-4 draw with Liverpool. His performance that night will likely never be forgotten, but it will also serve as a reminder that he didn€™t manage reach those heights ever again. Arshavin was eventually consigned to the bench and seemed to hang around far longer than he appeared welcome, before finally returning to Zenit.