• Former Arsenal midfielder had been playing for Sparta Prague • Czech Republic international won two FA Cups while at Emirates

Tomas Rosicky has announced his immediate retirement from professional football. The 37-year-old had been playing for Sparta Prague but the club revealed on Wednesday he has decided to hang up his boots during the winter break.

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The former Arsenal midfielder, who struggled with injuries for much of his 10-year stay in north London, said he felt he was no longer in a position to offer his best to Sparta – the club where he started his career in 1998.

“After careful consideration I have realised I am no longer able to fully prepare my body for what professional football requires,” he told the club’s official website. “I would like to thank Sparta for raising me, for being the first step in my career in big clubs and for allowing me to say goodbye at the place I love the most.”

Rosicky left the Czech Republic in 2001 when he moved to Borussia Dortmund, establishing himself in the side before Arsenal came calling. He won two FA Cups during his time at the Emirates Stadium.

He received a guard of honour from his team-mates after the 4-0 victory over Aston Villa on the final day of the 2015-16 Premier League season – many of them sporting No7 shirts with his name on the back.

Rosicky rejoined his boyhood club that summer, only for injury to strike on his second debut after he came on as a substitute – ruling him out for the entire season. He returned this campaign and in September scored on his first start for Sparta in 17 years – his only goal for the side during his second spell.

Capped 105 times by the Czech Republic, Rosicky has retired with Sparta fifth in the HET Liga table and their next fixture not until 17 February.