ANDREY ARSHAVIN HAS admitted that he is “frightened” by the idea of retiring from football, but knows that his playing career is nearing its end.
The former Russia star’s contract with Kazakh side Kairat expires at the end of 2018 and at 36 years old he is considering exiting from the game.
However, the ex-Arsenal and Zenit St Petersburg forward still enjoys playing and hopes to remain in the sport once he bows out.
“I think the end of my career will come very soon, it’s near. I am not yet tired of football, it is my favourite thing in life,” Arshavin told Championat.
“I would like to stay within the game. We’ll see how life goes. The thought sometimes frightens me, but that feeling passes and everything is fine for a while, and then I’m frightened again.
“I think it is a hard point in the life of any footballer, because you have to completely change your life, and you can’t know what is going to come next.”
Arshavin won three Russian Premier League titles and the Uefa Cup across two spells with Zenit, spending four years at Arsenal in between and playing 145 games for the English side.
After winning the Kazakhstan Cup last season, the Russian’s current side sit second in the league after seven games.
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Not much cover at RB may bring in Rafael or Fabio
@Hightower: with Danilo on the bench.
Such a pity, last chance to represent his country in a major tournament, gotta feel for the man.
@Now or Never: absolute douche tho.
Are they certain??? I mean he does have form with faking injury. Maybe this is his best performance yet?
Best RB ever to play the game. Shame.
@Marko Polo: cafu
@Stephen Bolger: John O Shea
@Clay Davis: Paul McShane
Shame. He’s an entertaining player to watch