Former Arsenal and Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Rosicky has announced his decision to retire from football.

Rosicky whose career spanned over two decades was always on and off due to injuries-he has now retired  after succumbing to the rigours of professional football at the age of 37.

He won silverwares with the Gunners, Borussia Dortmund and Sparta Prague, where he started and ended his career.

“After careful consideration I have realised I am no longer able to fully prepare my body for what professional football requires,” Rosicky said at a press conference on Wednesday.

“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.”

He also won 105 caps for his country, leaving him third on the all-time list behind only Petr Cech and Karel Poborsky.

Rosicky will be remembered for his time at Arsenal, where he won two FA Cups.