Andrey Arshavin signed for Arsenal in January, but the Russia forward already wants a pay rise to cover the cost of living in England.
Arshavin signed a 3½ year contract worth about £80,000 a week when he moved to the Emirates Stadium from Zenit St Petersburg for £15million and he is not happy about the Government’s decision to raise the top rate of income tax from 40 to 50 per cent next April.
Arshavin complained about how much tax he was having to pay last month and Dennis Lachter, his agent, has called on Arsenal to increase his client’s wages. “Why must a player suffer, the club must deal with the problem,” Lachter said. “This crisis will affect not only Andrey Arshavin, but Frank Lampard, Cristiano Ronaldo, the Queen of England, and so on.
“The British Government has suddenly started to solve their problems through the crisis of people who earn big money in the UK. If a player has signed a contract, it is logical that there were certain obligations from the club on the money that the player receives. Now suddenly, this tax rate change. This situation is not simple - no-one wants to lose their money.”