by Lee Hurley

Tomas Rosicky is currently recovering from a knee injury that is set to keep him sidelined for at least five weeks.

Thankfully the injury, which was picked up while on international duty, will not require surgery but it is also not enough to stop Sparta Prague from trying to sign him either.

Despite Arsenal taking up the option to extend his contract by one more year, his former club have not given up the hope that they can bring him back to them and are keen to get something sorted with the Little Mozart.

Rosicky himself has let it be known that he is not happy playing such a bit-part role with the Gunners and was frustrated to find himself omitted from the cup final squad shortly after agreeing to remain in London.

Reports back in his homeland don’t look too favourably upon Arsene Wenger who has been reluctant to use Tom much lately although the Arsenal manager still turns to him for big games and is not shy when it comes to placing a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.

“The long-term interest of Sparta in Tomas Rosicky is known and it is not related to today’s state of health,” said Sparta’s communications chief, Ondřej Kasík. Club chairman and owner of 40% of the club, Daniel Křetínský, added “It’s a matter of past negotiations,” while admitting that they will not skimp in what they are willing to pay to bring him back.

It was certainly surprising to see that Tom had signed a new deal when it seemed like his exit was a foregone conclusion.

But while it would be gutting to see him leave, it would also be totally understandable. This is a player who lost two years of his career to injury; he no doubt wants to make the most of whatever playing time he has left.

We’ll keep a close eye on this and the media in the Czech Republic and bring you updates as soon as we find them.