Former Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin is targeting the Zenit St Petersburg presidency.

Arshavin has thrown his hat into the ring for the role during an interview in his native country.

The 39-year-old told newspaper Fantanka: "Even 14-15 years before the end of my sports career I wanted to be the president of Zenit, because it's a status.

"I love football, and running the main team in St. Petersburg and now in the country, is cool."

His statement of intentions then took an odd turn, however, when he asserted that he would not "chop wood" in the job.

He said: "I won't chop wood if I become president for that.

"I want it to happen naturally, thanks to my work.

"I have the same attitude to the position of Sports Director. I will be happy if this happens."