Rosicky my new Pires: Wenger

Arsene Wenger today revealed he swooped for Tomas Rosicky as soon as he discovered Robert Pires was leaving Arsenal and believes he has found the ideal replacement for the French winger.

Arsene Wenger today revealed he swooped for Tomas Rosicky as soon as he discovered Robert Pires was leaving Arsenal and believes he has found the ideal replacement for the French winger.

Pires ended his six-year stay at Highbury last week when he agreed a two-year deal with Spanish Champions League semi-finalists Villarreal.

But in readiness for the 32-year-old’s departure, Wenger was already tracking Rosicky who eventually signed for £7million from Borussia Dortmund 11 days ago.

And although the Gunners boss admits the two players are not identical in style, he believes Rosicky, 25, can fulfil a similar role at the club.

“I took Rosicky to replace Robert. I moved very quickly after Robert told me he would go,” he told the club’s official website, www.arsenal.com.

“I wanted to secure [Rosicky] before the World Cup starts. He is a little bit similar position-wise to Robert.

“He can play in Dennis Bergkamp’s role, on the left, in a 4-3-3 or central. But he is slightly a different style.

“Rosicky is an accelerator of the game, a guy who can create things, see things quickly and whose best years are ahead of him.”

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Republic of Ireland Training Session and Media Conference Ogbene ruled out for 'few weeks'
Chelsea v Leicester City - Barclays Women's Super League - Kingsmeadow Willie Kirk sacked as Leicester boss after position became ‘untenable’
Cork City v UCD - SSE Airtricity Men's First Division Clancy keen to build on City's perfect home record
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited