Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has blamed the hectic English football schedule for the injury which has prevented him featuring in Arsenal's Champions League run.

Czech Republic international Rosicky, 27, has been out since January with a knee ligament problem, missing the memorable Champions League last 16 second leg win at Milan and casting doubt over his participation in the season run-in.

"Of course, it is very annoying for me to miss these games," he remarked to Czech television station Nova before adding that he hoped to return in time for the quarter finals.

"[The injury] simply does not want to fade away but now it seems like it has been improving a little bit.

"I started by jogging and today I was training with the ball."

And the former Borussia Dortmund playmaker thinks that the busy nature of the Premier League could be a reason for his numerous fitness problems.

"The [German] Bundesliga has a winter break whereas here in England winter is the time when the games are played in quick succession," he continued.

"In Germany the players can have a rest and have a winter pre-season, which is a big advantage of course. That is not the case here and the fitness sessions must be included during season training, which is a big difference," he explained.

Arsenal lead the Premier League by a point from Manchester United and beat Milan 2-0 on aggregate after a goalless draw at the Emirates.

Vasek Kadlec / Eurosport