Ex-Arsenal star gives verdict on returning as sporting director | OneFootball

Former Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky revealed that he's had "no offer" to become the club's new sporting director, but very much left the door open for a future approach.

The Gunners have been searching for a transfer specialist since Edu Gaspar suprisingly stepped down in November last year. The Brazilian's former assistant Jason Ayto has been thrust into an interim role this term, overseeing a deeply disappointing January window which saw multiple bids for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins rejected and no arrivals of any kind.

Arsenal are expected to name a new permanent successor in March. Ayto was reportedly included in a five-man shortlist which also contained the name of Dan Ashworth - the former Manchester United director who was unceremoniously and expensively sacked in December, five months after his appointment. Rosicky was not one of the candidates.

Other reports have ranked the former Czech international as a viable alternative given his success as a sporting director for his boyhood club Sparta Prague, but Rosicky insists that he hasn't received any formal approach.

More than 10% of the goals that Tomas Rosicky scored for Arsenal were against Tottenham / Julian Finney/GettyImages

"Just the fact that I am there in some thoughts of the Arsenal management is an honour for me," the 44-year-old told Flashscore. "But I have no offer to go and work at Arsenal."

Rosicky, who emerged as a fan favourite during his decade in north London between 2006 and 2016, understood the speculation. "The reality is, you could say, simple," he outlined. "My connection with Arsenal is natural because I spent ten years there. And in that time, you form a very strong bond. I have it with Arsenal and Sparta, they are two clubs that I love."

Injuries dogged Rosicky's career in the English capital, particularly during his final two seasons. However, he did conspire to make 68 appearances alongside the club's current manager Mikel Arteta during their time together in midfield.

When asked about his relationship with the Spanish boss, Rosicky admitted: "Mikel and I played together for almost five years, I can't say that we are somehow friends and that we have stayed in touch, that's not the case. We were good teammates, I think that whenever we see each other, we are happy. I haven't been to Arsenal for a long time now, during my last visit we spent a lot of time together. But it's not like we call each other."

It remains to be seen whether Rosicky will be receiving a call from anyone at Arsenal about the the vacant sporting director role.