Tomas Rosicky is a leading contender to become Arsenal’s sporting director, although any return to his former club would probably be put on hold until the end of the season.
It is understood that Rosicky, who has been the sporting director at Sparta Prague since 2018 and spent 10 years at Arsenal as a player, has been in regular contact with members of the club’s hierarchy as they search for a replacement for Edu.
The 44-year-old played with Mikel Arteta and is said to remain close to the Arsenal manager and Per Mertesacker, the former Germany defender who is manager of the academy.
Edu’s former deputy, Jason Ayto, has assumed the responsibilities since it was confirmed in November that the former Brazil midfielder was departing to join the multi-club network of Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, and Ayto is expected to oversee the January transfer window. But it is understood that there are reservations about appointing him permanently given his lack of experience, with Rosicky regarded as a more suitable alternative.
He has overseen Sparta’s revival in recent seasons that culminated in a return to the Champions League proper this season for the first time since 2005, although they were thrashed 5-0 by Manchester City in October. Arsenal are said to have been impressed by his record with the Czech side, who have won the league title for the past two seasons.
Talks are understood to be continuing and Rosicky is thought to be ready for a new challenge. But with Arsenal’s leadership group, which includes Arteta, the executive vice-chair, Tim Lewis, and chief executive, Richard Garlick, prepared to take their time as they conduct a thorough recruitment process, Rosicky is thought to prefer to see out the season with Sparta before moving as they attempt to retain the Czech league title. He started his playing career with Sparta and went back on a free after leaving Arsenal in 2016.
Luis Campos, whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in the summer, has also been linked, along with Brentford’s director of football, Phil Giles. But it is believed that Arsenal would prefer to appoint someone who has an association with the club.
