Should Arsenal Extend This Loyal Veteran’s Contract?

Another older player who seems to be thinking about his future at a Premier League club is Tomas Rosicky. The Czech midfielder had joined Arsenal in 2006 and his only major trophy win was last season’s FA Cup victory. While age might not be on his side, the 34-year old midfielder still might have something to provide to the club.

His contract at Arsenal ends in June 2016 and he will be hoping for an extension to ensure he still plays a couple of seasons more but with the business of football not everyone is sure about his ability and his durability, should Arsenal give Rosicky a contract extension?

A smooth operator but a broken telephone

Rosicky is one of the smartest players in the Arsenal team in terms of movement, he might not be the strongest or fastest at 34 but his movement and ability to create opportunities is something which not everyone in football knows. He can always provide his expertise and knowledge to the younger players in the squad.

While his experience can be of a huge help, there still are a few issues which need to be ironed out. This season has been a huge let down for the player, he might have impressed when he plays on the pitch but he has only made 5 starts this season and made another 9 appearances as a substitute in the Premier League.

Keeping a player on rather high wages and only seeing him make 20 appearances all season is not the best thing for club and player. He would become 35 next season and the rigours of the Premier League might become a little bit too big of a hurdle for him to cross. Also, Arsenal have a ton of brilliant midfielders who will be fighting for a place in the team.

Rosicky might not even get a place on the bench from next season as more and more players get fit, think about it they have Wilshere, Oxlade – Chamberlain, Ramsey, Cazorla, Coquelin & Flamini for the midfield role and in all probability Arsenal will have another young gun waiting in the wings to join this list. Rosicky might be pushed down the pecking order and no professional would want to remain at a club where he can’t get regular playing time.

Rosicky might have provided a lot of class to the Arsenal midfield but sometimes it is best to part ways. Rosicky probably would get more game time at another club and Arsenal could probably use the savings from his wages and transfer fees to sign another player, probably a youth player who could come good in a couple of years’ time.