Reading striker Pavel Pobrebnyak has dismissed suggestions that fellow Russian Andrey Arshavin is planning to hang up his boots.

The Arsenal forward has been rumoured to be considering quitting professional football in the summer as he is due to leave the Gunners at the end of the season.

"In response to those rumours that Arshavin will end his career I can only say one thing - this is nonsense," Pogrebnyak told izvestia.ru.

"Andrey is full of desire to play football on a high level and become a useful member of the team. When he played during the season he had one of his best performances when he got the chance."

Arshavin, whose contract expires in the summer, has dropped down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium in recent seasons.