'Gunner Forever' Tomas Rosicky Sends Out Emotional Message to Arsenal Fans Following His Retirement

Former Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky called time on his 19-year career and announced his retirement from professional football. In a career plagued by injuries, Rosicky still left Arsenal fans with many fond memories during his ten years at the club. 

Rosicky returned to his boyhood club Sparta Prague for one season, before deciding to hang up his boots at the age of 37. In a statement for the Czech club's official website, Rosicky said that he was "no longer able to fully prepare my body for what professional football requires."

While enjoying stints at Sparta Prague and Borussia Dortmund, Rosicky will be perhaps remembered most for his time in North London. He still clearly feels very closely attached to Arsenal, as Rosicky requested he make a statement for Arsenal addressing the club and its fans upon the news of his retirement. 

He told the Arsenal official website: "My body has been telling me for a long time that it doesn’t want to do it anymore, but the mind was always there to win, to keep playing and to keep pushing forward."

Rosicky also took the opportunity to share some heartfelt words with the Arsenal fans, thanking them for his cherished time at the club. He added: "For one last time, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Arsenal Football Club.

"For me, it’s a fantastic club and it was always an honour for me to play for Arsenal. I always had a special bond with the fans. Every time I played, they knew that I was playing for the shirt."

After making his name in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund, Rosicky joined Arsenal in 2006. While his time with the Gunners was often spent battling with injury, the Czech international still managed to make 247 appearances for the club, and scored 28 goals. A fan favourite, Rosicky helped Arsenal break its trophy drought with two consecutive FA Cups in 2014 and 2015.

"I’m repeating myself but I’ve enjoyed every minute playing for Arsenal because it’s an amazing club. I always loved to play for Arsène Wenger and for his vision of how football should be played. It was absolutely great."

"One thing is for sure, I’m a Gunner forever."