Former Arsenal defender, Oleh Luzhnyi has revealed he plans to put his coaching career on hold to fight for his native Ukraine after their invasion by Russia.

The situation is horrific,’ he has told Sky Sports. ‘I want to come to coach in the UK but before anything I will stand firmly and fight for my people, for my country and for democracy.

‘We all hope this will be over soon as innocent lives are being lost and families are being torn apart. A country being invaded and destroyed is all for what? We need to stand together as one and bring to an end this criminal warfare.’

Luzhnyi, 53, spent four years at the club between 1999 and 2003, making 110 appearances for them in total. He was also part of the side which won the Premier League and FA Cup in the 2001-02 season, and later left for Wolves.

He played 60 times on the international stage during his career, captaining Ukraine 37 times. Luzhnyi also previously represented the former Soviet Union.

After hanging up his boots in 2005, he moved into coaching and had hoped to continue by taking up a job in England.