What does Arsene Wenger now do with Tomas Rosicky?

Football FanCast guest columnist Jim Pattison wonders what Arsenal should do with Tomas Rosicky.

One player that has probably frustrated Arsene Wenger more than any other, then surely it is Tomas Rosicky.

The Czech international is top quality, extremely skilful, however the continual battle for fitness after a succession of injuries has left us all frustrated at Wenger’s inability to call upon such a talent every week, given the difference he would make to any starting line-up. Wenger has been unable to do so for over two seasons now and while this year we have seen Tomas finally return, it appears the niggling injuries (the after-effects of such a long lay-off) have started to kick in at times this season.

It has been a terrible shame for the player because this is a big season for Rosicky, especially as he is playing for a new deal at the Emirates. Rosicky is out of contract at the end of the season and while in the past few weeks has been honest enough to concede that he may have to look elsewhere in January, should no new Arsenal deal be offered by then, it does make you wonder what the club do here. I am sure in their heart of hearts they would love to offer him a new deal, but with his fitness the way it is, can they really afford to do so?

So what does Arsenal do with someone like Rosicky? It is a real tough one because firstly you can understand why the club are so hesitant about offering him a new deal, until such time that he proves his fitness, but the other side of the coin is should another club be willing to take a gamble on him and offer him a contract in January then there is a danger that he may just sign an agreement elsewhere. While I fully understand Arsenal’s standpoint, given his injury record, I just wonder whether it would be in the club’s best interest to offer Rosicky a 12 month extension in order to give him time to prove his fitness. Should Arsenal give Tomas one last chance, or should this season be the end of the road for the Czech international at the Emirates?
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