Arsenal Midfielder Expects Imminent Departure

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky is counting down the final days of his career in north London as he enters the last year of his contract.

The Czech Republic international appears unlikely to earn a contract extension after seven years at The Gunners following a series of injury-hit campaigns.

And Rosicky admits that after enduring a range of emotions during his career at Arsenal, he just wants to enjoy his football.

"I'm trying to play every game like it's going to be my last. Everyone can see that and I'll continue to play like that," Rosicky said.

"This is my last season. It's not in the back of my mind that I'm playing for a new deal. I'm just trying to give my best for my team and my team-mates.

"I'm enjoying playing football again and we will see how it goes. But I'm not in a rush. I've said many times already that I would love to finish my career at Arsenal.

"The big part is the experience I have. I've been through happy times, bad times and everything. I'm 32 years old so I have a lot of stuff behind me already. All these tough games are the most interesting ones. You want to play in them and I'm no different in that.

"If you look at the last two seasons and what I was able to produce I think I played a big part in us coming back for a top four finish. Obviously for me the challenge is to make the pre-season which will help me for the whole season and contribute straight from the first game."

Rosicky has been party of much of Arsenal's eight-year wait for a major trophy, failing to earn any silverware during his spell in English football, with the club releasing many of their stars names.

Former captains Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie have departed in successive summers, but the club appear likely to escape this summer without losing any of their star names, a reason to believe Arsenal's fortunes are on the turn according to Rosicky.

"It's vital to have a good mixture of youth and I don't want to say the veterans but the experienced guys," the 32 year old said. "I think they changed a lot since I came here.

"We have more experience than we used to and a big thing for me is that this is the first time since I'm here that almost no-one from the important guys has left.

"This is very important for the chemistry and the team state. Obviously if we can get one or two new players it would be great. It would be interesting for us to go into the new season."