by Lee Hurley

Tomas Rosicky believes he has nothing to prove when it comes to his loyalty to Arsenal.

Out of contract this summer, the club have taken up the option to extend his deal by a further year, a move that was welcomed by fans but caused some concern for the player and his parents, especially given he didn’t make the team after agreeing the new deal.

Speaking to the media at Arsenal’s new kit launch, the Czech, who admitted that he considered leaving the club, has said that he is ready to stay and fight for his place at the club.

“It was a difficult time for me,” Rosicky said. “It’s never easy when you are not playing at all and you end the season in the stands.

“Is there a frustration? Of course there is a frustration because I think I can still help the team to be better.

“On the other side I have been here nine years and I have always said I love the club.

“I don’t think I have to prove to anyone how I feel about Arsenal and how loyal I am to this club.

“Of course it’s not going well for me at the moment. It’s disappointing but I will not give up easy. I will fight.”

Of course, some media outlets have run with the rather confusing headline that involves claiming that Tom will stay and fight for his place at Arsenal but has refused to rule out a move away this summer.

I’m pretty sure those two things are mutually exclusive.