Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak has called on fellow Russian international Andrey Arshavin to join the Royals in January.

Arshavin is expected to depart Arsenal in the New Year after failing to secure regular football this season, and his international teammate has made his feelings known.

"It's Arshavin who has to make the decision. Anton Zingarevich knows him well enough without listening to my opinion, as he is from St Petersburg," Pogrebnyak told www.rg.ru.

"Andrey is a master and there is no doubt that it would be great to see him at Reading."

Reading have yet to win a Premier League match this season.