Arsenal pulled off a masterstroke in the summer of 2006 when they signed Tomas Rosicky from Borussia Dortmund, capitalising on Atletico Madrid’s stalled attempts to secure the Czech midfielder.
The Gunners swooped in after Atletico, beset by financial complications and banking guarantee issues, failed to seal the deal despite months of negotiations.
Rosicky, then 25, was highly sought after, having caught the eye with his performances for the Czech Republic at Euro 2004 and his growing influence at Borussia Dortmund. Atletico Madrid, coached by Carlos Bianchi, were desperate to land Rosicky during the 2005-06 season, seeing him as a crucial part of their squad rebuild.
Atletico made strong overtures, and there was even a personal connection through Tomas’s brother, Jiri Rosicky, who had played for Atletico’s B team from 1996 to 2000. By early 2006, a deal between Rosicky and Atletico looked almost certain, with both the player and the German club eager to reach an agreement.
However, Atletico’s financial position created stumbling blocks at every turn. Dortmund, struggling financially themselves, were willing to sell, but Atletico couldn’t finalise the banking guarantees needed to complete the transfer.
Despite Rosicky’s public statements of interest—he had reportedly said, “I want to play at Atletico and everything will be fixed”—the deal collapsed. At one stage, it seemed only a matter of agreeing on payment terms, with Atletico offering around €11m for the midfielder. Atletico’s attention was also divided as they focused on securing the young Argentine talent Sergio Agüero and Costinha, adding to the delays.
By May 2006, Arsenal’s opportunism turned Atletico’s misfortune into their gain. With Atletico unable to get their financial house in order, Arsenal moved swiftly, completing Rosicky’s medical and securing his signature. The frustration for Atletico was palpable, as the Spanish club’s president Enrique Cerezo tried to rally the supporters, stating, “We will bring a player the same or better” after Rosicky slipped through their grasp. Despite this optimism, Atletico’s subsequent signings—which included Maniche and Jurado—lacked the same spark that Rosicky promised.
Reflecting on that period, his brother Jiri remarked, “Tomas wanted to go to Atletico, he watched their games on TV, but Borussia got impatient.”
At Arsenal, Rosicky became an important piece in Arsène Wenger’s midfield, known for his technical prowess, creativity, and commitment. Despite a series of injury setbacks that limited his playing time, Rosicky’s presence and impact on the squad were unforgetable. Nicknamed “The Little Mozart” for his orchestration of play, he was capable of turning the tightest games with a moment of skill or a key pass. Over his 10-year stint with the club, Rosicky made 170 appearances, scored 19 goals, and won two FA Cups—though those injuries kept him from achieving his full potential at the Emirates.
Rosicky now finds himself back in Prague, serving as the Sporting Director of Sparta Prague, where his career began. He has been linked with vacant Sporting Director role at Arsenal.
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