Rosicky's Premier League regret looms over Arsenal glory

Tomas Rosicky admits that, after a decade of service, his greatest disappointment at Arsenal remains the failure to capture the Premier League, even as he helped the Gunners lift two FA Cups and later watched a former teammate finally deliver the league crown.

The piece was published by Sport senior writer Jake Bayliss, a veteran of Sports journalism, at 06:00 on 29 Sep 2026, and the online version includes two images and a View button for readers.

Winning pedigree before Arsenal

Before arriving in London, Rosicky already boasted a winning pedigree. He featured in Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga triumph and had earlier celebrated a title with Sparta Prague, establishing himself as a proven winner in both Germany and the Czech Republic.

Silverware and near‑misses at the Emirates

Arsenal secured Rosicky’s signature in 2006, with Arsene Wenger eager to reinforce a side that had narrowly lost the Champions League final to Barcelona. The Czech midfielder soon added to the Club’s trophy cabinet, featuring in the 2014 FA Cup win that ended a nine‑year drought and the successful defence in 2015.

During his ten‑year Premier League spell Rosicky amassed 246 appearances, contributed 28 goals and 23 assists, and helped the Gunners finish third on four occasions. Yet the closest the side came to the league crown was a runners‑up finish to Leicester City in his final season.

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Reflecting in a 2017 interview on Arsenal’s website, Rosicky said, “Yeah, that’s what I wanted – to win a trophy with Arsenal. There’s a regret that we didn’t win the Premier League, but after such a long time, it was a great moment.” He added that the bond with the fans and his admiration for Wenger’s football philosophy made his time unforgettable.

Legacy and post‑playing career

After hanging up his boots, Rosicky returned to Sparta Prague as sporting director, bringing his experience back to the club where his career began. A decade later, former Arsenal teammate Mikel Arteta finally delivered the league title that had eluded Rosicky, completing the Club’s long‑awaited Premier League triumph.

On the international stage, England prepare to face the Czech Republic in a Nations League clash, hoping to bounce back from a 3‑2 loss to Spain, while the Czechs seek redemption after a 2‑1 defeat to Croatia.

Rosicky insists he will always be a Gunner, saying, “I am a Gunner forever,” and stresses that representing Arsenal was an honour he cherished above all else.