Andrey Arshavin has insisted that he had to leave Arsenal in order to keep his Euro 2012 hopes alive.
The 30-year-old joined Zenit St Petersburg on loan last week after an indifferent season for the Gunners, and he admitted that he was left with little choice but to depart.
"I hope here in Zenit I will receive everything I need to prepare for the Euro 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," Arshavin told The Sun.
"Zenit made me the right offer at the right time as I was having certain problems at Arsenal with too little match practice."
Arshavin has 67 Russian caps to his name.
