FORMER Arsenal star Tomas Rosicky has been rushed to hospital with heart issues.
The Czech icon, 44, suffered the health scare last week while working in his role of sporting director at Slavia Prague.
Rosicky, who spent 10 years at Arsenal and was tipped to replace transfer chief Edu Gaspar earlier this year, was immediately taken to intensive care at a hospital in Prague.
And he is now being treated at home after doctors decided he did not require surgery.
Rosicky’s club Sparta Prague confirmed the news in a worrying statement.
It read: “Our sporting director, Tomas Rosicky, was unexpectedly hospitalised in the intensive care unit last Tuesday due to heart-related issues.
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“Neither Tomas nor the club will disclose further details. Fortunately, no surgery was required. Tomas, you have our full support. We’re all thinking of you.
“Until this official announcement, only a few closest members of the club and his family were aware of the situation.
“Given the seriousness of the matter, both the club and Tomas chose to communicate publicly only after he was released into home care late last week.”
Rosicky himself commented on the situation, adding: “As a player and sporting director, I’ve always gone all in. Full effort, no hesitation.
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“But this situation has shown me that I need to take better care of myself. Poor lifestyle habits, lack of physical activity, and family predispositions unfortunately brought me here.
“The good news is that I’m expected to make a full recovery, though I’m currently unable to carry out the demanding responsibilities of a sporting director.
“I’ll remain in touch with my colleagues as we’ve always operated as a team. We have a clear vision, strategy, and structured processes in place. The guys will take care of it.”
Rosicky started his playing career at Sparta Prague in the 1998/99 season before spending six years at Borussia Dortmund.
With two Czech titles and a Bundesliga under his belt, the midfielder joined Arsenal in 2006 for £7million.
He went on to score 28 goals in 247 outings while leading the Gunners to the 2014 FA Cup.
Rosicky’s time in London was greatly affected by multiple injury issues.
And in 2016 he returned to Sparta Prague, where he made just 13 more appearances before retiring in 2018 and taking up his sporting director role.
Tomas Rosicky’s career stats
- Sparta Prague, 1998-2001: 67 games, 13 goals
- Borussia Dortmund, 2001-2006: 189 games, 24 goals
- Arsenal, 2006-2016: 247 games, 28 goals
- Sparta Prague, 2016-2019: 13 games, 1 goal
- Czech Republic, 2000-2016: 105 games, 23 goals
Trophies
- Sparta Prague: Czech First League x2
- Borussia Dortmund: Bundesliga
- Arsenal: FA Cup, Community Shield
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
