CZECH MATE
Arsenal club legend leads new sporting director race with Premier League title-chasers desperate to replace Edu
The former Gunners star won the FA Cup and Community Shield with the club
TOMAS ROSICKY leads the race to become Arsenal’s new sporting director.
The 44-year-old is close friends with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and academy chief Per Mertesacker.
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Czech Rosicky spent ten years at the club, playing alongside the pair.
Arsenal have been hunting for Edu’s replacement since he joined Nottingham Forest’s owner Evangelos Marinakis’ multi-club network in November.
Edu, a former Gunner himself, had been hired in 2019 as technical director - and became the sporting director in 2022.
But Rosicky wants to see his contract out at Sparta Prague, which expires in the summer.
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Rosicky took over as sporting director at the club in December 2018, a year after retiring from football.
The Czech side have reached the Champions League three times under his watch, and won a first title since 2013 last year.
Sparta - who Rosicky played for in two spells - have faltered in their attempts to retain the Czech First League title.
They currently trail cross-town rivals Slavia Prague by 13 points.
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Edu’s former deputy, Jason Ayto, took over at the Emirates when the Brazilian left in November.
He is expected to guide the Gunners through a crucial January transfer window.
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But the club is keen on a more experienced head to take over in the long term.
Rosicky is no stranger to Gunners fans after spending a decade with the club from 2006 to 2016.
He was a firm fan favourite known for his flair and tenacity in midfield, winning the FA Cup with the Gunners in 2014.
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Edu's departure came as a shock after the Brazilian helped mould Arsenal into title challengers under Arteta.
On his time at the club, Edu said: "This was an incredibly hard decision to make.
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"Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history.
Edu's 35 signings ranked
EDU oversaw the arrival of 35 players during his time at the club.
Some worked out better than others.
Here, SunSport ranks them from worst to best...
35. Nicolas Pepe (£72m)
34. Willian (Free)
33. David Luiz (£8m)
32. Runar Alex Runarsson (£2m)
31. Mat Ryan (Loan)
30. Fabio Vieira (£34m)
29. Neto (Loan)
28. Marquinhos (£3m)
27. Nuno Tavares (£8m)
26. Matt Turner (£5m)
25. Cedric Soares (Free)
24. Albert Sambi Lokonga (£17m)
23. Pablo Mari (£5m)
22. Dani Ceballos (Loan)
21. Raheem Sterling (Loan)
20. Jakub Kiwior (£17m)
19. Jorginho (£12m)
18. Riccardo Calafiori (£42m)
17. Kieran Tierney (£25m)
16. Takehiro Tomiyasu (£20m)
15. Mikel Merino (£28m)
14. Aaron Ramsdale (£24m)
13. Oleksandr Zinchenko (£30m)
12. Gabriel Jesus (£45m)
11. Kai Havertz (£65m)
10. Jurrien Timber (£38m)
9. Gabriel Martinelli (£6m)
8. David Raya (£27m)
7. Leandro Trossard (£20m)
6. Thomas Partey (£45m)
5. Ben White (£50m)
4. Gabriel Magalhaes (£27m)
3. Declan Rice (£105m)
2. William Saliba (£27m)
1. Martin Odegaard (£30m)
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"It has been a special journey and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim and Lord Harris for the support they’ve given me.
“I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a great friend.
“Now it is time to pursue a different challenge.
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