The 38-year-old Socceroos custodian almost made the move across London from Fulham to Arsenal in the European summer but the transfer fell through after the Cottagers rejected the Gunners' advances.

But the Australian, who was keen on the Arsenal switch citing a desire to play UEFA Champions League football, is out of contract at the end of the season which may force Fulham's hand in January.

Schwarzer told The Telegraph despite entering into veteran status he maintains a strong desire to play Champions League football, after taking both Fulham and Middlesbrough to UEFA Cup and Europa League finals earlier in his career.

"I've played in Europe in three different seasons, twice with Middlesbrough and once with Fulham and was pretty successful with both those clubs in those competitions," he said.

"That gave me an appetite to play European football. And Champions League football is something I've never had before.

"You have to test yourself against the very best and they (Arsenal) play Champions League football."

He added: "As to January, I genuinely don't know. What will be will be."

Schwarzer said he was extremely keen on the Arsenal switch last European summer after handing in a transfer request at Craven Cottage in August.

"I pushed pretty hard in the summer," he said. "I'm not getting any younger. Any footballer would be crazy not to want to try to explore that opportunity.

"The important thing for me was to get my head clear and get down to some training and playing close to my best again, if not better.

"I really believe you have to grow continuously as a footballer and not stop just because you are the tender age of 38.

"Edwin van der Sar, who's 40, is a great example. He's inspiring. I want to continue like Edwin's doing."

Schwarzer also took time to offer support to Australia's 2022 World Cup bid weeks out from a decision.

He added: "It has the potential to be the best World Cup ever.

"We have a proven history of hosting big sporting events. The country is safe, there is stability and huge potential for growth.

"It will set foundations for generations and generations to come.

He continued: "Football is the most-played sport in the whole of the country and has been for some time and it is increasing in popularity.

"If we won the World Cup it would truly become the number one sport in the country.

"I think the cricket and the rugby has quite an Anglo-Saxon background. The rest of Australia is very multicultural. The country is built on immigration.

"Australia not so long ago had the situation where football was divided along ethnic or national lines. There were Italian, Greek, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian teams.

"The introduction of the A-League in 2004 has changed that, but the World Cup would take it to another level.

"I remember during the World Cup in Germany, I spoke to my cousin and she said it was the first time she could remember that she didn't feel bad about putting out the national flag.

"Until then it had been associated with being right wing.

"Getting the World Cup would bring that positive atmosphere of unity to Australia."