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.