by Lewis Ambrose

Tomas Rosicky is yet to return to first-team training, hasn’t travelled to Singapore, and will now miss the start of the new season.

The Czech Republic captain had a frustrating season as he was used as a squad player, featuring in 24 games but only playing a half or more on eight occasions. Czech teammate and close friend Petr Cech has joined 34 year-old Rosicky at Arsenal, but his frustration is only set to grow.

The midfielder suffered a knee injury in for Czech Republic back in a Euro 2016 qualifier back in June. The midfielder has suffered plenty of injuries, and had much trouble with his knee, since joining Arsenal back in 2006 and is now set to miss the start of the season.

There has been some interest in Rosicky from first club Sparta Prague but Arsenal took up an option to extend the midfielder’s contract by a year, meaning he will stay at the club this summer.

No timescale has been given for Rosicky’s return but it is frustrating that he will miss pre-season, and hopefully his age doesn’t hold him back too much as he tries to catch up with the rest of the squad. Luckily his experience is invaluable, and the injury doesn’t render him totally useless as Arsène Wenger and younger members of the squad will still surely find it useful to have him around the club.