Tomas Rosicky's feelings on Mikel Arteta very clear amid potential Arsenal return
Tomas Rosicky is among the men being considered as Arsenal's next sporting director - and the former Gunners midfielder has previously had his say on Mikel Arteta's impact at the Emirates
by Samuel Meade · The MirrorTomas Rosicky always saw the potential in Mikel Arteta to be a successful manager and believes the Spaniard "has what it takes to win".
The former Czech Republic midfielder, who enjoyed a 10-year playing spell at the Emirates, is now a sporting director back in his homeland but is being linked with the vacancy in north London. Edu announced his shock departure from the club several months ago, leaving a sizeable void in the hierarchy.
Edu was at the club when Arteta was hired, despite never having been a manager in the past. The Spaniard has helped rejuvenate the north London outfit, who have finished second two years on the trot and are establishing themselves as a Champions League force.
Arteta and Edu worked impressively when they were together at Arsenal and having a sporting director who can continue to work effectively - rather than clash - with the man in the dugout will be advantageous. And Rosicky has spoken very positively about the Arsenal boss - with his managerial instinct apparent when he was a player.
He previously said: “Yeah he had it in him, you could see that for a very long time. Even when he was, when we played together, already preparing for his next step when he will retire, he was doing his badges already as a player, stuff like that. So you could see the leadership qualities what he had before.
"And you can see now on the bench and of course I wish him well and I hope they will, they can make it. I think the last season, they showed. I think Mikel himself and the whole club has what it takes to win it. Of course they have to show it, they have to prove it and I believe they will put up another good challenge and fingers crossed.”
Rosicky retired from in 2017 and was then appointed as Sparta Prague’s sporting director the following year, where he's remained. But he is not the only candidate being considered by those at the Emirates. PSG ’s Luis Campos is an option as his contract with the French giants will soon expire, while Brentford’s current director of football Phil Giles has also been linked with the vacancy.
Arsenal are understood to favour a candidate who has a prior association with the club, which makes a move for Rosicky all the more attractive for those at the Emirates.
Edu’s former deputy, Jason Ayto, has assumed the responsibilities since the Brazilian departed and he is expected to oversee the January transfer window. However there are reservations about appointing him permanently given his lack of experience.
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