Tomas Rosicky admits it will be a strange and emotional
experience if he plays for Arsenal at Sparta Prague on Wednesday
night.
The midfielder grew up in the Czech capital, followed in the
footsteps of his father and brother by joining Sparta and starred
for the side from the age of seven until he left for Borussia
Dortmund in 2001. This week he is set to face them for the first
time ever.
Ahead of the game, he spoke to Arsenal TV Online about coming up
against what he still refers to as "his club".
"It will be the first time I have played against them," he said. "I
grew up there. This is my club. I was there from seven or eight
until my 20s and Sparta Prague prepared me for all the steps
throughout my career. My brother played for Sparta Prague and my
father played for Sparta Prague so it is a bit emotional. It will
be strange for me because I have feelings for the club."
The full video interview will available for Arsenal TV Online
subscribers on Wednesday. In it, Tomas also talks about how he
heard the draw, how his father persuaded Sparta to take Tomas in
the first place, his father's history at Sparta, his goal against
Arsenal for Sparta in 2000, what he'd do if he scores on
Wednesday.