Zenit St Petersburg loan signing Andrey Arshavin says he had to leave Arsenal to keep his place in Russia's Euros squad.

Arshavin failed to live up to his billing and has found himself behind Gervinho, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the Gunners' pecking order this season.

Arshavin said: "I hope here in Zenit I will receive everything I need to prepare for the 2012 European championships in the best possible way.

"I believe that it's been the best possible decision for me - to return to my native town, to help my native club and myself.

"Zenit made me the right offer at the right time as I was having certain problems at Arsenal with too little match practice."