Arsenal's Dutch striker Dennis Bergkamp has hinted he will retire when his contract with the Premiership champions runs out at the end of the season.

'I can smell the end of my career. I know the end is coming,' Bergkamp was quoted as saying in the News of the World newspaper.

'My family and I are very happy in England but when my contract ends I will go back to Holland. I left there 10 years ago but it will always be my home.'

Bergkamp, who missed Arsenal's 4-1 win at Leeds on Saturday through injury, has played a big part in Arsenal's recent success, notably in winning the league and FA Cup double last season.

The Dutchman, who joined Arsenal in 1995, added: 'I have to be realistic. I am 33 now and although I think I am still getting better as a player, I also know I will not be faster as a player if I continue.

'And the thing I want to do is to stop at the top and with the biggest club I have played for - Arsenal. I certainly won't want to go from Arsenal to a smaller club, I'm a top player and I will stop playing at a top club.

'Right now I am asking myself: 'Am I going to miss it?. I have spoken to (former Arsenal full back) Lee Dixon since he stopped playing.

'He said he didn't miss the football but he missed everything surrounding the football. The humour around the dressing room, travelling to the games and the camaraderie with the players. And I think that's what I will miss too, not the football.'