Arsenal: Arsene Wenger brands Tomas Rosicky 'the perfect player' for the Gunners

Arsene Wenger has heaped praise on Tomas Rosicky and revealed that the outgoing Arsenal midfielder was "the perfect player" for the Gunners when he was fit. The Czech Republic international bade goodbye to the north London club after the end of the recently concluded season having made only one substitute appearance in an FA Cup fixture before being ruled out for three months.

Rosicky joined from Borussia Dortmund in 2006 and has completed 10 years at the club, making 170 appearances and scoring 19 goals in all competitions. However, his career was blighted with injuries, something the manager regrets. Last season, the Gunners extended his contract by another year in anticipation that he will have a major impact in their title charge, but Rosicky was ruled out for more than half the season as the Gunners' title challenge fizzled out.

Wenger revealed that it was a privilege managing Rosicky and wished him luck to whatever plans he has made for the future. The 36-year-old has been picked for the European Championships in France and he will decide his future following the conclusion of the tournament.

"It will always be a frustration [he didn't play more games] because first of all Tomas was an exceptional talent," Wenger told Arsenal's Official website. "I personally, like we all do here, love the player. The standing ovation he gets every time he walks out there tells you a lot.

"We love the man as well, and his attitude, and his exceptional class and qualities. It's sad [that he's leaving] but I must say, for me it was a privilege to manage him. "He makes it look very easy when he's playing. He has a quality - when the ball comes to him the game suddenly becomes a bit quicker, more incisive, more mobile.

"He had all the football qualities to play the game we love to play here, and I would say Tomas Rosicky was the perfect player for Arsenal Football Club," he added.