Andrei Arshavin has told Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that he "doesn't want to play football" after Russia's failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Russia were beaten by Slovenia in a World Cup play-off earlier this month with Arshavin, one of the stars of Euro 2008, disappointing in both legs.

"People close to me tell me that I need to forget what happened as soon as possible and turn my attention to club business, to the Champions League," Arshavin told the Sport Express paper. "But that's easier said than done."

"When Arsene Wegner asked me how I was, I admitted that I simply don't want to play football," Arshavin said.

The Russian came on as a substitute during Arsenal's 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at the weekend, but was in the starting line-up for the Gunners 2-0 Champions League defeat of Standard Liege on Tuesday.

He also complained about domestic media criticism of his performances against Russia.

"When we win, the whole team wins, but when we lose it's usually Arshavin who is to blame," he said. "I'm used to that."

MOSCOW, November 27 (RIA Novosti)