Tomáš Rosický

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Tomáš Rosický
Personal information
Date of birth October 4, 1980 (age 26)
Place of birth Prague, Czech Republic
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10½ in)
Nickname Rosa, Little Mozart, Schnitzel, Dumpling
Position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Arsenal F.C.
Number 7
Youth clubs
1986 - 1988
1988 - 1998		 ČKD Kompresory Praha
Sparta Praha
Professional clubs*
Years Club Apps (goals)
1998 - 2001
2001 - 2006
2006 -		 Sparta Praha
Borussia Dortmund
Arsenal		 041 (8)
149 (19)
012 (1)
National team**
2000 - Czech Republic 57 (17)

* Professional club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 16:32, 8 December 2006 (UTC).
** National team caps and goals correct
as of June 22, 2006.

Tomáš Rosický (pronounced /ˈto̞.maːʃ ˈro̞.sɪʦˌkɪ/ (Tom-aash Ro-sits-kii); born October 4, 1980 in Prague) is a Czech international football player, who currently plays his club football for English Premiership side Arsenal.

Contents

[edit] Club career

An attacking midfielder nicknamed 'the Little Mozart', Rosický is known for his phenomenal work-rate and his eye for a pass. He started his career with Sparta Prague in 1998, where he won three Czech League titles, and became the youngest-ever winner of the Czech Player of the Year award. He joined Sparta at the age of 18 in what he later called "a present with my brother". Sparta were greatly interested in his older brother Jiri Rosický, at the time one of the hottest prospects in former Czechoslovakia, however their father insisted they could only have Jiri if they signed Tomas as well.

In 2001 he moved on to Borussia Dortmund; helping Dortmund to a Bundesliga title in 2002, and reached the UEFA Cup final (which Dortmund lost 3-2 to Feyenoord) the same season. His solid form in the 2004-05 season helped Dortmund climb the Bundesliga table and away from potential relegation. In all he played nearly 150 Bundesliga games for Dortmund and 23 games in the Champions League and UEFA Cup.

Rosický's reputation grew during his time at Dortmund, and during the latter stages of his spell at the club, Dortmund were in substantial financial trouble; they could not hold onto him despite recognising his influence on the team. Press reports linked him with big money transfers to Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal. Rosický expressed a desire for Dortmund to allow him to leave at the end of the 2005-06 season, and the arrival of South African Steven Pienaar was made in preparation for Rosicky's departure.

On May 23, 2006, Arsenal confirmed that they had signed Rosický on a long-term contract. The transfer fee was undisclosed but was rumoured to be in the region of £6.8 million due to a get-out clause in his contract at Borussia Dortmund.[1] [2]Rosický took over the number 7 shirt which was formerly worn by Frenchman Robert Pirès.

On August 8, 2006, Rosický made his competitive debut for Arsenal in their first leg Champions League third round qualifier against Dinamo Zagreb, playing on the left-wing. On 13 September, Rosický scored his first goal for Arsenal in an away game at Hamburger SV, with a spectacular long-range effort from 30 yards.[3]

Rosicky is preferred as a left-winger at Arsenal, as some of his play resembles his predesessor of his position, Robert Pires. Both first choice wingers at Arsenal, Hleb and Rosicky have played in the Bundesliga as attacking midfielders, but Arsene Wenger prefers to play both in wide positions, and have full-backs such as Clichy and Eboue overlapping down the wings.

[edit] International career

Rosický made his international debut in 2000 aged 19, against the Republic of Ireland, and has recorded over 50 caps overall. He played for his country at Euro 2000 and Euro 2004 and helped the side qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Rosický shone for his country in the group stages of the qualification campaign, scoring several goals from the penalty spot and setting up Milan Baroš and Jan Koller in particular with accurate and precise passing. He also scored the winning goal in the second leg of the Czech Republic's play-off against Norway, to ensure qualification for the finals.

In the 2006 World Cup finals, Rosický scored two goals in the Czech Republic's 3-0 victory over the United States in their opening match, on June 12, 2006. The Czech Republic went out at the World Cup in the group stages, with Rosický forced to move into the attack after injuries to both of the country's star strikers, Jan Koller and Milan Baroš.

At the beginning of the 2006-07 season Rosický was made captain of the Czech Republic national side, replacing the retiring Pavel Nedvěd.

[edit] Arsenal Career Statistics

(correct as of 4 November 2006)

Club Season League Cup[4] Europe Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 2006-07 8 0 1 - - 4 1 12
Career totals 12 1

[edit] References

  1. ^ Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky signs for Arsenal, Arsenal.com, 2006-05-23
  2. ^ Arsenal secure Rosicky transfer, BBC Sport, 2006-05-23
  3. ^ Rosicky's first goal for Arsenal vs Hamburg 13 September 2006
  4. ^ Includes FA Cup, League Cup and FA Community Shield

[edit] External links

Czech Republic Czech Republic squad - 2006 FIFA World Cup Czech Republic

1 Čech | 2 Grygera | 3 Mareš | 4 Galásek | 5 Kováč | 6 Jankulovski | 7 Sionko | 8 Poborský | 9 Koller | 10 Rosický | 11 Nedvěd | 12 Lokvenc | 13 Jiránek | 14 Jarolím | 15 Baroš | 16 Blažek | 17 Štajner | 18 Heinz | 19 Polák | 20 Plašil | 21 Ujfaluši | 22 Rozehnal | 23 Kinský | Coach: Brückner
Arsenal F.C. - Current Squad

1 Lehmann | 2 Diaby | 4 Fàbregas | 5 Touré | 6 Senderos | 7 Rosický | 8 Ljungberg | 9 Baptista | 10 Gallas | 11 van Persie | 12 Lauren | 13 Hleb | 14 Henry | 15 Denílson | 16 Flamini | 17 Song | 19 Gilberto | 20 Djourou | 21 Poom | 22 Clichy | 24 Almunia | 25 Adebayor | 27 Eboué | 30 Aliadière | 31 Hoyte | 32 Walcott | Manager: Wenger
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