Arsene Wenger hopes signing Andrey Arshavin will kick-start Arsenal's quest for a top four finish.
The Gunners completed the move for the highly-rated Russian on Tuesday evening as the longest saga in the transfer window finally reached a conclusion.
At several points as Monday's transfer deadline approached it appeared the 27-year-old forward would fail to clinch his move to Emirates Stadium as negotiations between Arsenal and Zenit St Petersburg looked to have broken down.
But after a 24-hour delay, Wenger finally landed his man in a reported £16.95million deal and the Frenchman could not hide his joy.
"We are delighted to have signed Andrey Arshavin, he is a player I have admired for a long time," Wenger told Arsenal TV.
"He is a versatile player with great experience, who will add real quality to our squad.
"Andrey is an exciting impact player with a huge amount of ability and has been an influential force with both Zenit St Petersburg and the Russian national team in recent seasons."
The Russian revealed the prospect of playing under Wenger was one of many reasons why he had his heart set on the move.
Arshavin had been linked with a switch 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 said: "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."
Having played for Zenit in this year's UEFA Champions League, Arshavin will not be able to play for the Gunners in the competition.
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