London: Arsenal midfielder Andrei Arshavin warns manager Arsene Wenger he may leave club if ‘glued to the bench’. He has said that he would consider leaving the Emirates if the Russia international is “benched for a very long time”.

Arshavin, 30, who has started just eight of Arsenal’s 19 games this season, has said that he is hoping to get more time on the pitch and would have to think about his future if Wenger continues to use him so sparingly.

“Right now I don’t think about changing clubs,” said Arshavin. “If I will be benched for a very long time, then such an issue might be relevant.”

The former Zenit St Petersburg player who joined the north London club in January 2009 is out of contract at the end of next season, but has ruled out a return to his homeland, unless Zenit were to make an approach.

“I still want to play for 90 minutes but now I am glued to the bench, he said. “I wouldn’t like to play for a Russian club other than Zenit and there were no contacts with Anzhi.”