Arsenal are searching for a new sporting director after the shock departure of Edu Gaspar, and a familiar face has been linked.
Edu departed this week in a surprise decision, with the Brazilian set to join Evangelos Marinakis’ group of clubs which includes Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos.
The former midfielder worked in tandem with Mikel Arteta, and helped build a squad capable of challenging for the title.
Another former midfielder has been linked as his replacement, with Arsenal reportedly opening talks with Tomas Rosicky over a sensational return to North London to replace Edu, but fans are divided over whether this would be a good move.
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Arsenal fans divided after Tomas Rosicky return rumours
Rosicky was a cult hero as a player, and a highly technical midfielder who featured alongside Arteta, before both departed Arsenal in 2016.
The former Czech Republic international is now sporting director at Sparta Prague, and some fans are convinced that the work he has done there could make him an excellent fit for the same role at Arsenal.
“Honestly have no idea if Rosicky is a good Sporting Director, but under him Sparta Prague returned to the Champions League for the first time in 19 years, as well as 2 league titles and 2 cups. If he favours technical players like he was, could be a great addition,” one fan posted on X.
“If Rosicky gets Arteta to sign players like Rosicky that’d be a win,” another pointed out.
“He’s more proven in his job role than. Arteta was before he got the job. He was a better player than Arteta too and holds more respect in the game as an international captain with 100 caps than Arteta or Edu,” a fan stated.
However, a lot of fans are not convinced that Rosicky has the experience or standing within the game to succeed as a sporting director at a club like Arsenal.
“Tomas Rosicky may have been a fan favourite, but being a Director of Football at Sparta Prague is very different from Arsenal. Their record signing was €5m and he remains their record sale; he left 23 years ago. There’s no time for sentiment. Go and get someone proven,” a fan posted.
“Arsenal needs to act like a Big Club that they are if not they will continue to be a Mid Team because of Mismanagement, What really qualifies Rosicky and Per Mertesacker for the Job at the Club? Edu learnt on the Job why not Higher Experience for once?” Another claimed.
“The main point is: we have to appoint a figure with a own football vision and the personality to not be a yes man. What we’re reading during these days is worrying. Mikel is a great coach but must not have all the power,” another fan added.
Tomas Rosicky’s record at Sparta Prague
Rosicky has been in his role at Sparta Prague since December 2018, and has six years of experience under his belt.
In 2022-23, Sparta won their first league title since 2014, with Rosicky’s work as a director paying off, and they retained the trophy last season.
They also reached the group stage of the Champions League this season, for the first time since 2005-06, and Rosicky was present as his side faced Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Rosicky made Sparta’s record signing in the summer, with Albion Rrahmani joining from FC Rapid for around £4.5m.
The step up to dealing with transfers in the hundreds of millions of pounds at Arsenal would be huge, but Rosicky has shown promise as a sporting director at his boyhood club.
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