Injured Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has admitted he is struggling to cope with not knowing when he will return to action.

Despite having been told the knee injury he sustained in January would sideline him for just a few weeks, the Czech international has not played a game for nearly two months.

And the extended period out of the game is beginning to get the 27-year-old down.

Asked when he expects to make a comeback, Rosicky told Sport: "I don't know. It is still the same and there is no prospect of me returning for the moment.

"They told me it was a very unusual injury. When I was having muscle problems, I never complained I was unlucky.

"I always tried to discuss the problems with doctors and we were doing everything to avoid the problems in the future. But this could not be avoided.

"I was hit directly in the place where the ligament anchors the knee. The chance of someone hitting you there is slim but the doctor said that the opponent hit me precisely.

Asked how he is coping with the layoff, Rosicky could not hide his frustration.

He said: "Badly, I have missed football badly. I have never had such a long break. Not even when I broke my arm at Dortmund as I could play afterwards with a cast.

"I take it as a part of football and strong individuals must cope with it. And I will cope with it. It will not stop me nor break me down. But I have realised how much I love football.

"It is good that I can be with my team-mates every day. Otherwise, it is not good at all. At the moment, I cannot imagine living a life free of football.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger gave Rosicky a vote of confidence last week, saying his absence from the pitch is being keenly felt, particularly over recent weeks as Arsenal have struggled for form in the league.

Rosicky added: "It is nice to hear [that] of course. The lads say that in the dressing room too, that they need me. But I would prefer to hear that no one needs me.

"I would love to be back on the pitch, it is not easy for me. But I have to put up with it."

Vasek Kadlec / Eurosport