Arsenal's biggest winter deadline day transfer battled blizzards and red tape

Arsenal managed to get their 2009 January signing of Andrey Arshavin over the line - but not before time.

The Russian was hot property after helping Zenit St Petersburg claim Europa League success in 2008 before then starring in his country's ride to the last four at the Euros.

Arsenal faced a battle with north London rivals Tottenham to sign the then 27-year-old, but eventually won out.

They faced several complications, not least the London weather.

Arshavin's signing was eventually completed for £15m, then a club record fee, exceeding the amount they paid to sign Sylvain Wiltord, but the announcement came 24 hours after the transfer window had slammed shut.

Arsenal were among a number of clubs who had to deal with admin delays, which were caused by a heavy snow storm in London which hampered transport networks.

The Premier League needed to approve the deal and allowed an element of leeway, which proved beneficial for the Gunners.

That came after difficult negotiations with the Russian's former side.

Zenit had paid Arshavin a loyalty bonus based on him seeing out the four-year deal he signed in 2006.

He was six months shy of seeing out his contract but still Zenit wanted to be compensated, with an agreement eventually met.

The player's back and forth saw him fly to London, under the expectation the deal was going to be completed, before then jetting back to Russia to apply for a work permit.

Upon signing the player told the club's media channel: "I like Arsenal's style, I like Arsene Wenger as a coach, and I like some players in this team."

Arshavin's time in London was something of boom and bust. When he was hot, boy was he hot, but when he was off it the dips were far too notable.

Wearing the No 23 shirt it took the Russian a matter of months to make a true impact.

On a midweek night at Anfield Arhsavin scored four against title chasing Liverpool in what was a thrilling 4-4 draw.

He has since said on his efforts: "I remember now that I was exhausted after the game. I was empty.

"I was happy and when you score four goals that is normal. I'm proud that nobody has [scored four goals away at Anfield in the league] since but I did it. It makes those four goals special.

He also scored a rocket in an eventual defeat at Old Trafford early in the following season.

All in all the Russian would spend four years in north London, scoring 31 times in 144 games, but failing to win any silverware.

He experienced a near miss in the 2011 League Cup final, a match Arsenal lost 2-1 to Birmingham, which he cites as his biggest regret.

"My only regret is that I didn't win trophies with Arsenal," he said. "Especially that League Cup final [in 2011] against Birmingham who were relegated after. Even that final we lost.

"The problem was that every year we would lose players. First Samir Nasri, then Cesc, than Robin van Persie. If we could have kept that squad for two or three years it would have been different, I guess."