Tomáš Rosický

Tomáš Rosický

Rosický with Arsenal in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Tomáš Rosický
Date of birth	(1980-10-04) 4 October 1980
Place of birth	Prague, Czechoslovakia
Height
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder / Winger
Team information
Current team	Arsenal
Number	7
Youth career
1986–1988	ČKD Kompresory Prague
1988–1998	Sparta Prague
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1998–2001	Sparta Prague	41	(8)
2001–2006	Borussia Dortmund	149	(20)
2006–2016	Arsenal	170	(19)
International career‡
1995–1996	Czech Republic U15	10	(0)
1996	Czech Republic U16	12	(5)
1997–1998	Czech Republic U17	16	(6)
1998–1999	Czech Republic U18	9	(3)
1999	Czech Republic U21	2	(0)
2000–	Czech Republic	101	(22)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 May 2015 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 27 May 2016

Tomáš Rosický (Czech pronunciation: [ˈtomaːʃ ˈrosɪtskiː]; born 4 October 1980) is a Czech professional footballer who plays for Arsenal and is the current captain of the Czech Republic national team. He was nicknamed "the little Mozart" for his ability to "orchestrate" the midfield.

He started his professional career at his hometown club Sparta Prague, playing three seasons in the Czech First League before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2001 for DM 25 million (approximately £18 million), at the time a record transfer fee paid by a Bundesliga club. Rosický joined Arsenal in 2006, and made over 200 appearances for the club, including appearing in their victory in the 2014 FA Cup Final.

Internationally, Rosický made his debut for the Czech Republic in 2000 and became captain of his country in 2006. He has taken part in three UEFA European Championships as well as the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He earned his 100th cap on 12 June 2015.

Club career

Sparta Prague

Rosický began his career at Sparta Prague, following his father Jiří who played for the club in the 1970s and brother, also called Jiří who played as a trainee in the 1990s. Having played for Sparta's youth teams, Tomáš debuted for Sparta's senior team in 1998 and played three matches in the 1998–99 season, winning the national title with Sparta. He scored five goals in the 1999–2000 season as the team won the league for the second year in succession. He was named the "Talent of the Year" at the 1999 Czech Footballer of the Year awards. During the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League group stage, he scored goals in matches against Shakhtar Donetsk and Arsenal, attracting the attention of German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, which had a bid accepted for the player in January 2001.

Borussia Dortmund

Rosický with Borussia Dortmund in 2006

On 9 January 2001, Rosický joined Borussia Dortmund, signing a five-year contract. His transfer fee of DM 25 million (approximately £18 million), made him the most expensive player in Bundesliga history and the most expensive Czech player to be sold to a foreign team. In his first full season at Dortmund, Rosický helped the club to win the 2001–02 Bundesliga title. He also took part in the 2002 UEFA Cup Final, which Dortmund ultimately lost 3–2 to Feyenoord. During his first two-and-a-half seasons with the club, Rosický played 75 league matches, scoring nine goals and registering 20 assists. He subsequently agreed to extend his contract with Dortmund in July 2003, signing a deal to stay at the club until 2008. At the end of the season, Rosický was announced as the winner of the Czech Republic's Golden Ball award.

Although Rosický was part of the Dortmund team that reached the final of the 2003 DFB-Ligapokal, losing 4–2 to Hamburger SV, he later described the 2003–04 season as his "worst club season," as Dortmund failed to qualify for the following season's UEFA Champions League competition. He scored his first competitive goal of the 2005–06 season in February 2006, against MSV Duisburg; it was his 16th Bundesliga goal on his 139th league appearance. March 2006 saw him have injury problems with his thigh, but he scored twice in Dortmund's 4–2 win against Hamburg at the end the month. He was linked with a move to Spanish side Atlético Madrid, which he discussed in sports magazine Kicker, although mentioned in March 2006 that he had not signed a contract to move elsewhere.

Arsenal

2006–07 season

Rosický in 2007

On 23 May 2006, Arsenal confirmed that they had signed then 25-year-old Rosický on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee. He made his competitive debut for Arsenal on 8 August 2006 in a 3–0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in a Champions League qualifier. Rosický scored his first Arsenal goal on 13 September 2006 against Hamburg in Arsenal's first Champions League game of the season, which Arsenal won 2–1. On 6 January 2007, he scored twice against Liverpool at Anfield in the FA Cup, in a 3–1 victory for Arsenal. In February 2007, Rosický was announced as the Czech Footballer of the Year for 2006, marking his third time winning the award after previous victories in 2001 and 2002. He scored his first Premier League goal on 11 February 2007 against Wigan Athletic. He also scored against Bolton Wanderers on 14 April 2007 and against Manchester City on 17 April 2007. He finished his debut season at Arsenal having scored six goals in 37 appearances for the club in all competitions.

2007–08 season

On 29 August, Rosický scored in a Champions League qualifying match against his former club Sparta Prague, scoring what the BBC journalist Phil Harlow described as a "quality goal," shooting the ball under Sparta's goalkeeper after receiving a pass from Theo Walcott. Rosický scored his first Premier League goal of the season against Portsmouth in a 3–1 home win. He scored another goal from a cross provided by Walcott in a 2–0 October 2007 league match victory against Bolton, then scored Arsenal's second goal in a 2–0 victory over Wigan the following month, after a counter-attacking move towards the end of the game. His next league goal came in December when he scored in injury time in a 2–1 away loss at Middlesbrough, and he finished the month with another counter-attack goal, scoring the last of Arsenal's goals in a 4–1 away victory against Everton. His last goal of the season came in a 3–0 away win against Fulham on 19 January, as he scored with a volley following a pass from Eduardo. A tendon injury sustained in an FA Cup match against Newcastle United in January 2008 resulted in him playing no more matches that season.

2009–10 season

Rosický did not feature for Arsenal during the 2008–09 season due to his hamstring tendon injury. He played half of a pre-season friendly match against Barnet in July 2009, but suffered an injury to his hamstring in August, delaying his competitive return to the first team. On 12 September 2009, he played his first match for Arsenal since January 2008, appearing as a substitute in the league match away to Manchester City. He provided the pass for Robin van Persie to score Arsenal's first goal in the match and scored the second goal himself as Arsenal lost 4–2.

On 4 January 2010, Rosický signed a new contract with Arsenal, saying, "It's felt like home since I arrived here four years ago and I believe we're on the verge of achieving something special together." Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger commented on the new deal with Rosický, saying, "I have spoken many times of Tomáš' class and contribution, not only on the pitch but off it as well, and I very much feel that this new contract reflects that." Following his contract announcement, Rosický scored an injury time equaliser in a 2–2 draw at Emirates Stadium against Everton. His third goal of the season came against Bolton, Rosický scoring Arsenal's first goal at the end of the first half after Bolton had taken an early two-goal lead. Arsenal went on to score three goals in the second half, winning the match 4–2. On 10 February, Rosický provided a cross for team mate Abou Diaby, who resultantly scored the solitary goal of their league match against Liverpool. Rosický finished the season with a total of three goals in 33 appearances in all club competitions.

2010–11 season

Rosický (right) playing in the Premier League against Birmingham City in October 2010

On 15 August 2010, in the first Premier League match of the 2010–11 season, Rosický was brought on as a substitute when Arsenal were trailing by a goal to Liverpool at Anfield, producing a cross in the 89th minute that was diverted by Marouane Chamakh against the post. The ball then hit Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina before crossing the line for the equalising goal as the game finished 1–1. He scored his only goal of the season in an FA Cup tie away to League One side Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road on 20 February 2011 with a 53rd-minute header, although the match finished in a 1–1 draw. On 27 February 2011, Rosický started the 2011 League Cup Final against Birmingham City at Wembley, playing the full 90 minutes as Arsenal were defeated 2–1. At the end of the campaign, Rosický had scored one goal and made 34 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners.

2011–12 season

Rosický attacking against Aston Villa in March 2012

On 16 October 2011, Rosický took part in a league game against Sunderland and was involved in the build-up play leading to Robin van Persie scoring the game's first goal after just 28 seconds, a game which finished 2–1 to Arsenal. His first goal of the 2011–12 season was in late February 2012 against Tottenham Hotspur. After Spurs had taken a two-goal lead, Arsenal scored five times, with Rosický scoring Arsenal's third, as they won 5–2. In early March, Rosický scored his team's second goal in a 3–0 Champions League home win against A.C. Milan, putting in a performance which was described by manager Arsène Wenger as "outstanding." Despite the win, the club were eliminated from the competition on aggregate, having been defeated 4–0 in the previous match.

Having been linked with a move to German side VfL Wolfsburg, Rosický signed a new contract with Arsenal on 12 March 2012, extending his stay at the club for another two years. Rosický's performance during Arsenal's next game, a 2–1 victory against Newcastle United, was described by Michael Da Silva of the BBC as "another impressive game" for the midfielder, although noted that he had been "guilty of a glaring miss halfway through the second half." He sustained an injury in Arsenal's final match of the season, pulling a muscle in the game with West Bromwich Albion.

2012–13 season

Rosický in possession against Blackburn Rovers in February 2013

After picking up a serious injury to his achilles tendon at Euro 2012, Rosický made his first club appearance of the 2012–13 season in Arsenal's 2–0 home defeat against Swansea City on 1 December 2012. He played in the Champions League three days later, scoring Arsenal's only goal in a 2–1 loss against Olympiacos in Greece. In April 2013, he scored both of Arsenal's goals in their 2–1 away victory against West Brom. He managed 16 competitive appearances for Arsenal, scoring three times in the 2012–13 season.

2013–14 season

On 4 January 2014, Rosický scored his first goal of the season in a 2–0 win in the FA Cup against Tottenham Hotspur, winning the ball on the halfway line from Danny Rose before running to the goal and beating opposition goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. During the 2–1 victory against Aston Villa just over a week later, his nose was broken in two places after a challenge by Gabriel Agbonlahor, requiring surgery after the incident. February saw Rosický score "one of the best [goals] we have scored," according to Wenger, in a 4–1 league victory against Sunderland.

In March 2014, Rosický signed a contract extension with the Gunners, keeping him at the club for an additional two years. Later that month, Rosický scored Arsenal's winning goal in a 1–0 North London Derby victory for Arsenal, against Tottenham, at White Hart Lane. Rosický concluded the season by winning his first trophy in English football, coming on as a substitute for Santi Cazorla for the second half of extra time in the 2014 FA Cup Final as Arsenal beat Hull City 3–2 at Wembley.

2014–15 season

Rosický began the season with his second silverware for Arsenal, playing the last 20 minutes of the 3–0 win over Manchester City in the 2014 FA Community Shield, in place of Santi Cazorla. In his first league start of the season, on 26 December 2014, Rosický scored Arsenal's second goal in a 2–1 home win against Queens Park Rangers, set up by Alexis Sánchez.

On 25 January 2015, Rosický captained Arsenal to a 3–2 win away at Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup, where he scored the team's third goal, assisted Mesut Özil's goal and was named man of the match. Arsenal finished the season by winning the FA Cup, although Rosický did not take part in the final.

2015–16 season

Having missed the first half of the 2015–16 season as a result of a serious knee injury, Rosický finally made his first appearance on 30 January in a FA Cup tie with Burnley. After the match, it was revealed that he suffered a thigh injury during the encounter, with the result that he would spend at least another month on the sidelines. It was announced on the final day of the season that Rosicky would end his ten year stay with Arsenal, and would leave upon the expiration of his contract in July 2016. On 15 May, he received a guard of honour after Arsenal's 4–0 final day victory of Aston Villa, with a majority of the Arsenal squad wearing his 'Rosický 7' jersey.

International career

Rosický made his international debut for the Czech Republic in February 2000 at the age of 19 against the Republic of Ireland. He played two more friendly matches before being named in the Czech Republic's provisional 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2000. He played in his nation's first two matches at Euro 2000 during Patrik Berger's international suspension—both losses—before Berger replaced him ahead of the Czech Republic's final game, against Denmark.

He took part in qualification for the 2002 World Cup, scoring twice in a 6–0 win against Bulgaria. After finishing second in their qualifying group, the Czech Republic played a two-legged playoff against Belgium. Rosický was unable to take part in the first game, a 1–0 loss, due to suspension; in the second match, he played in the 1–0 loss as Belgium qualified for the 2002 World Cup at the Czechs' expense.

He played at Euro 2004 and helped the side qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Rosický scored seven times in 12 matches during the qualifying process. The last of these was the only goal of the second leg of the Czech Republic's play-off against Norway, ensuring qualification for the finals.

At the 2006 World Cup, Rosický scored two goals in the Czech Republic's opening match on 12 June 2006 in a 3–0 victory over the United States, the first of which was from 30 yards (27 m) out. He was named as the FIFA Man of the Match for his performance. Rosický played the whole 90 minutes of his country's subsequent matches, against Ghana and Italy, but the Czech Republic lost both games by a 2–0 scoreline and progressed no further in the tournament.

In August 2006, Rosický was made captain of the Czech Republic national side, replacing the retiring Pavel Nedvěd in advance of the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying process. After a defeat to Germany during the campaign in March 2007, he was among a group of players fined 1 million koruna (£25,000) by the Football Association of the Czech Republic (FAČR) for his part in a party involving prostitutes, for which he later apologised in a press conference. His last appearance of the qualifying campaign was against Slovakia in November 2007. Rosický missed Euro 2008 due to injury, announcing his absence in May 2008. He returned to international football when he started for the Czech Republic on 9 September 2009, in a World Cup qualifier against San Marino, following a 20-month absence due to injury. The game finished 7–0 to the Czech Republic.

Rosický captained the Czech Republic in their opening two matches at UEFA Euro 2012. However, an achilles tendon injury in the second match, a 2–1 win over Greece ended Rosický's tournament, as the Czechs were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Portugal.

On 12 June 2015, Rosický earned his 100th international cap in a 2–1 defeat away to Iceland in UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying.

Style of play

Ahead of his first senior international tournament, Rosický was described by the BBC as "a solid playmaker." Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger described Rosický as having "great technique, skill on the ball and sharp passing." Upon signing a contract extension in 2010, Wenger called him a "special talent" and said his "vision and touch is remarkable." Announcing Rosický's 2012 contract extension, Wenger called him "technically top class".

Rosický is also well known for preferring to use his outside of the foot for passing and shooting. In Germany, he gained the nickname "The Little Mozart" for his ability to orchestrate play on the pitch. David Hytner of The Guardian described him as "the all-round midfielder who brings balance, organisation and urgency to the team."

Career statistics

Club

As of 26 May 2016.

Club	Season	League			Cup		League Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Sparta Prague	1998–99	First League	3	0	—				0	0	—		3	0
	1999–2000		24	5					12	2			36	7
	2000–01		14	3					8	2			22	5
	Totals		41	8	—				20	4	—		61	12
Borussia Dortmund	2000–01	Bundesliga	15	0	0	0	—				—		15	0
	2001–02		30	5	1	0	2	0	16	1			49	6
	2002–03		30	4	1	0	1	0	7	2			39	6
	2003–04		19	2	1	0	3	1	4	0			27	3
	2004–05		27	4	2	0	—		0	0			29	4
	2005–06		28	5	0	0			2	0			30	5
	Totals		149	20	5	0	6	1	29	3	—		189	24
Arsenal	2006–07	Premier League	26	3	4	2	1	0	6	1	—		37	6
	2007–08		18	6	1	0	1	0	5	1			25	7
	2008–09		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			0	0
	2009–10		25	3	0	0	1	0	7	0			33	3
	2010–11		21	0	5	1	3	0	5	0			34	1
	2011–12		28	1	2	0	0	0	8	1			38	2
	2012–13		10	2	2	0	1	0	3	1	0	0	16	2
	2013–14		27	2	3	1	1	0	8	0	—		39	3
	2014–15		15	2	3	1	1	0	4	0	1	0	24	3
	2015–16		0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	Totals		170	19	21	5	9	0	46	4	1	0	247	28
Career totals			360	52	26	5	15	1	95	11	1	0	497	69
Reference:

• 1.^ Includes Czech FA Cup, German FA Cup, and English FA Cup.
• 2.^ Includes German League Cup and English League Cup.
• 3.^ Includes UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup/Europa League, and UEFA Intertoto Cup.
• 4.^ Includes FA Community Shield.

International

As of 27 May 2016.

Czech Republic national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2000	8	0
2001	10	2
2002	6	3
2003	7	1
2004	13	3
2005	8	6
2006	9	2
2007	7	2
2008	0	0
2009	3	0
2010	6	0
2011	8	1
2012	2	0
2013	6	1
2014	5	1
2015	2	0
2016	1	0
Total	101	22

International goals

Scores and results list the Czech Republic's goal tally first.

As of 31 May 2014

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	6 October 2001	Letná Stadium, Prague	Bulgaria	1–0	6–0	2002 World Cup qualifier
2.				5–0
3.	21 August 2002	Andrův stadion, Olomouc	Slovakia	3–1	4–1	Friendly
4.				4–1
5.	12 October 2002	Stadionul Republican, Chişinău	Moldova	2–0	2–0	Euro 2004 qualifier
6.	30 April 2003	Na Stínadlech, Teplice	Turkey	1–0	4–0	Friendly
7.	18 February 2004	Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo	Italy	2–2	2–2	Friendly
8.	2 June 2004	Toyota Arena, Prague	Bulgaria	3–0	3–1	Friendly
9.	13 October 2004	Republican Stadium, Yerevan	Armenia	2–0	3–0	2006 World Cup qualifier
10.	26 March 2005	Na Stínadlech, Teplice	Finland	2–0	4–3	2006 World Cup qualifier
11.	30 March 2005	Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella, Andorra la Vella	Andorra	4–0	4–0	2006 World Cup qualifier
12.	4 June 2005	Stadion u Nisy, Liberec	Andorra	6–1	8–1	2006 World Cup qualifier
13.	8 June 2005	Na Stínadlech, Teplice	Macedonia	5–1	6–1	2006 World Cup qualifier
14.	12 October 2005	Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki	Finland	2–0	3–0	2006 World Cup qualifier
15.	16 November 2005	Toyota Arena, Prague	Norway	1–0	1–0	2006 World Cup qualifier
16.	12 June 2006	FIFA WM Stadion Gelsenkirchen, Gelsenkirchen	United States	2–0	3–0	2006 World Cup
17.				3–0
18.	8 September 2007	Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle	San Marino	1–0	3–0	Euro 2008 qualifier
19.	17 November 2007	AXA Stadium, Prague	Slovakia	3–1	3–1	Euro 2008 qualifier
20.	9 February 2011	Stadion Aldo Drosina, Pula	Croatia	2–2	2–4	Friendly
21.	6 September 2013	Eden Arena, Prague	Armenia	1–1	1–2	2014 World Cup qualifier
22.	5 March 2014	Eden Arena, Prague	Norway	1–0	2–2	Friendly

Personal life

Rosický is the son of former league footballer Jiří Rosický, who played as a defender in a career spanning 15 years. Tomáš' son, also named Tomáš, was born to girlfriend Radka Kocurová in June 2013. He married Kocurova in May 2014 after having been in a relationship with her for 11 years. He played guitar during a live performance with rock band Tři sestry in March 2010, having practised his guitar skills during his 18 months on the sidelines because of his hamstring injury.

Honours

Club

Sparta Prague

• Czech First League: 1998–99, 1999–2000

Borussia Dortmund

• Bundesliga: 2001–02
• UEFA Cup: Runner-up 2001–02
• DFB-Ligapokal: Runner-up 2003

Arsenal

• FA Cup: 2013–14, 2014–15
• FA Community Shield: 2014

Individual

• Czech Footballer of the Year: 2001, 2002, 2006
• Golden Ball (Czech Republic): 2002
• Czech Talent of the Year: 1999

External links

• Tomáš Rosický international stats at the Football Association of the Czech Republic website (Czech)
• Official website of Tomáš Rosický (Czech) (English)
• Tomáš Rosický career statistics at Soccerbase
• Profile at Arsenal.com

Sporting positions
Preceded by Tomáš Galásek	Czech Republic captain 2006-2008	Succeeded by Tomáš Ujfaluši
Preceded by Tomáš Ujfaluši	Czech Republic captain 2009-	Succeeded by Incumbent