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Tomas Rosicky not thinking about retirement after Arsenal exit

Outgoing Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has no thoughts of retiring and says he is feeling fit going into the European Championship.

Rosicky only made one appearance for Arsenal this season, coming on as a substitute in an FA Cup game in January but immediately sustaining another injury that kept him out until last month.

While he played three games for the under-21s, he never returned to the first-team squad and bid farewell to the Emirates on Sunday after watching the team's 4-0 win over Aston Villa.

The 35-year-old Rosicky is available on a free transfer as his Arsenal contract is expiring, and said he is not concerned about his fitness level.

"I played a couple of games for the Arsenal under-21s so I feel quite all right," the Czech Republic midfielder was quoted as saying by The Times. "At the moment I'm not thinking about retiring, I want to focus on the Euros and go from there."

Rosicky spent 10 years with Arsenal, but struggled through several long injury layoffs. He remained a fan favourite at the Emirates, though, and was given a guard of honour by his teammates on the pitch following Sunday's game.

"It was an amazing [reception from the fans] -- if you spend 10 years somewhere it is really difficult as you are so attached to the club. It is unbelievable," Rosicky told Arsenal's official website. "It is very difficult to say goodbye after 10 years when you know everyone at the club."

Jack Wilshere was among the Arsenal players who credited Rosicky with helping his development during his career, and the Czech veteran said he has enjoyed seeing his teammates grow.

"All the young English guys when I came here grew up alongside me, I have seen them since they were 16 years old basically -- Jack, Theo [Walcott], the Ox [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain], Aaron [Ramsey] and Kieran Gibbs, so many," Rosicky said.

"I have seen them grow from little lads to the big players they are now and this makes me proud that I had an influence on their growth and education. That is why it is really difficult to leave."