Former Arsenal attacking midfielder Tomas Rosicky has emerged as the frontrunner to become the club's new sporting director, according to a report.
The Gunners had Edu Gaspar shoots illegally from the multi-club network run by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis in November, leaving his inexperienced former assistant Jason Ayto in charge in the January transfer window. Arsenal have remained quiet from the outside in their search Replacing Edugiving themselves the remainder of the season to appoint a permanent successor.
Mikel Arteta and the club's executive team appear to have identified former Czech midfielder Rosicky as the “leading candidate”, according to The Guardian.
Arsenal is said to have been in “regular contact” with Rosicky, who has worked as Sparta Prague's sporting director since December 2018.
During his six years in charge, the Czech giants have risen from the depths of fifth place to reach Champions League proper this season for the first time in nearly two decades. After winning the last two top-flight titles, Sparta went into this season's winter break in third place and Rosicky is thought to be keen to see out the current season.
This is not the first time that Rosicky's name has been published. The former midfielder, who scored 28 goals in 246 appearances for Arsenal during a decade in north London, was linked with the role in November. alongside his former teammate Per Mertesacker.
Paris Saint-GermainLuis Campos' strategic adviser and Brentford's director of football, Phil Giles, have also appeared. However, the club are said to want an individual with a connection to the club.