London: Arsenal expect midfielder Andrei Arshavin to return to the English football club by July 21.

The 31-year-old midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg after failing to hold down a first-team place at the Emirates.

He helped Zenit take a second-successive Russian Premier League title, but didn't do enough to convince Zenit to make the move permanent and will return to the Gunners, where his contract expires a year from now.

"Andrei will be coming back to us but no date has been confirmed as yet," a spokesperson told R-Sport Wednesday.

"All players will be returning at some point between July 9 and 21," depending on commitments with various national teams, the spokesperson said.

Arshavin had an average showing at Euro 2012, where his country crashed out in the group stage with a shock defeat to Greece.

He has 74 caps for Russia and has scored 17 international goals. (IANS)