Wenger defends Arshavin in Russia scandal

London, Dec.9 (ANI): Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has leapt to the defence of Andrey Arshavin after the playmaker was caught up in national scandal in Russia.

The Russian FA yesterday said they would investigate claims that Arshavin and three other Premier League players were drinking and smoking the night before Russia's World Cup play-off with Slovenia last month.

Tottenham's Roman Pavlyuchenko, Everton's Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Chelsea's Yuri Zhirkov were part of Russia's World Cup play-off defeat at the hands of Slovenia.

None of those players are accused individually but are part of the squad under investigation after Russian TV Channel One claimed players were caught drinking and smoking hookah pipes at Moscow's Marriott Grand Hotel on November 13.ut The Mirror quoted Wenger as saying yesterday: "He's a serious player, I don't doubt his commitment at all and I don't believe a word of it. When I see him, how he prepares for games, he's an example to other players in his approach." (ANI)