Arsenal duo ‘considering retirement at end of season’

Mikel Arteta & Tomas Rosicky: Out of contract in the summer

Mikel Arteta & Tomas Rosicky: Out of contract in the summer

Arsenal duo Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky are considering retiring at the end of the season, according to unconfirmed reports on Tuesday.

The Gunners duo have been hampered by persistent injury problems and are weighing up their respective futures, according to Football Insider.

They claim Spanish midfielder Arteta, who turns 34 next month, is the more likely to hang up his boots having already begun taking his coaching badges at Arsenal.

Arteta is struggling to break back into Arsene Wenger’s starting XI with his chances further diminished by the arrival of Mohamed Elneny.

The website also report that Rosicky has privately told friends that he will consider ending his career at the end of the season, despite publicly vowing to return.

The 35-year-old hadn’t played for the Gunners all season having been out with a knee injury before making his long-awaited comeback in the FA Cup fourth-round clash with Burnley.

But his emotional Emirates Stadium return ended in further agony as a thigh injury suffered just moments after his introduction from the bench has ruled him out for up to three months.

Wenger revealed Rosicky doesn’t need surgery but refused to rule out the possibility of Rosicky never playing for the club again.

Asked if Rosicky had played his last game for Arsenal, the Frenchman said: “I hope not, but the injury is quite a serious one. He will not need surgery.”

Both player’s contracts expire in June and are unlikely to receive new deals at the Emirates.