Building Atlanta United: Pros and cons of Tomas Rosicky

This is another in a series in which AJC reporter Doug Roberson will begin to look at Atlanta United’s possible player signings ahead of their 2017 inaugural season in MLS. Some potential signings, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, may be considered fanciful, and rightfully so. Some may be so practical as to be obvious.

You can follow Roberson for news about Atlanta United on twitter @DougRobersonAJC, and bookmark the paper’s Atlanta United page.

Here is the series so far:

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky.

PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is reportedly signing with Manchester United

Liverpool’s Kolo Toure

Manchester United’s Michael Carrick, who is reported re-signing with Manchester United

A.C. Milan’s Alex

Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes

Wolfsburg striker Nicklas Bendtner

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Today’s chapter:

Tomas Rosicky, midfielder

Formerly of Arsenal

One in a long line of “game-changing” midfielders to sign with Arsenal and never fulfill their potential. Scored just 19 goals in 170 appearances.

Pros: When the Czech plays, he is fun to watch. His goal in a recent friendly against Russia was a thing of beauty. It’s the kind of skill that few players have and would be an asset for any team.

He seems to have leadership/mentoring qualities. ESPNFC quoted Gunner Jack Wilshere with saying that Rosicky helped his development, with Rosicky saying: “All the young English guys when I came here grew up alongside me, I have seen them since they were 16 years old basically — Jack, Theo [Walcott], the Ox [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain], Aaron [Ramsey] and Kieran Gibbs, so many,” Rosicky said.

“I have seen them grow from little lads to the big players they are now and this makes me proud that I had an influence on their growth and education. That is why it is really difficult to leave.”

Cons: It took him 10 years to reach 170 appearances because of injuries. That’s why it would be hard to imagine that a team in the MLS, with its travel, heat, turf fields, would be interested in signing Rosicky, and why he would be interested in a move to the U.S.