An energetic, attacking midfielder with a penchant for the spectacular and an impressive range of passing, Rosicky made his professional debut for Sparta Prague in 1998 and was an instant success, earning the nickname 'the Little Mozart' in helping his hometown club win three successive league titles.

Borussia Dortmund bought him from Sparta Prague for a Bundesliga record £18 million in 2001 and they won the title in his first season; also reaching the final of the UEFA Cup. A season earlier, he had made his international debut at the age of 19 and he impressed at Euro 2004 before leading them to the World Cup in 2006.

Before the tournament began, Rosicky departed financially crippled Dortmund to assume the No. 7 shirt which was formerly worn by Robert Pires at Arsenal. But after a fine start, an apparently innocuous hamstring injury in an FA Cup tie against Newcastle in early 2008 would leave his future in the game in doubt and a hugely-frustrating recovery beset by setbacks was finally completed in September 2009.

His return saw him sign a new deal with the Gunners in 2010 and he penned another extension to his contract in 2012 after leading his country through Euro 2012 qualifying.

Strengths: Rosicky is very much a typical Arsenal player in that he excels with the ball at his feet and revels in a passing game. In possession he is an effective distributor of the ball and has the vision to find his team-mates.

Weaknesses: Rosicky has lost an element of dynamism since his long-term injury and lacks the penetrative power and devastating shooting ability that he used to possess. He has a tendency to drift out of games.

Career high: Winning the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund in 2002.

Career low: Spending a full 20 months on the sidelines between January 2008 and September 2009 as a troublesome tendon injury took a large chunk out of his career.

Style: Influential, stylish, talented, a classy midfielder.

Quotes: "I believe he is an exceptional player, a natural footballer who is technically top class. He plays the style of football we champion here and shares completely our philosophy. He is always ready to work for the sake of the club, always willing to put the team first. I have huge respect for him. " Arsene Wenger on Rosicky, 2012.

Trivia: Rosicky is a huge Ice Hockey fan and during his time at Dortmund he challenged team-mate, and fellow Czech, Jan Koller to a match. "He got his team and I got my team and we played a big game," Rosicky said. "It was very good,"