Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin has defended the massive wages footballers earn.

The Russia international insists he earns every red cent as a footballer.

"If you are not involved in professional football, it is easy to say it is crazy that we get paid so much for just kicking a ball around a pitch," Arshavin told The Times. "But I say to the critics, 'Put on some boots, take a shot and show us something.' If you think it is easy, come and have a go.

"It is not our fault we earn big money. We should not be made to feel like criminals. If the clubs pay us, it is because they know that they will earn more money because we are there. Sometimes I get it in the neck from other sportsmen. You know, an Olympic champion skier will complain that he is earning half as much as a footballer who is only rated 30th in the world.

"But what can we do? Football is the best and most competitive sport in the world. Sometimes it is better to be the tenth best player in the biggest sport than the very best in a smaller sport. Football pays well because everyone is interested in our game."