Rosicky keeping number 7 shirt

London - Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger is to recognise the continued importance of veteran playmaker Tomas Rosicky by extending the veteran midfielder's contract until the end of the 2015-2016 season.

The deal takes the 34-year-old into a tenth season with the North London giant, where he has made 242 appearances, winning just one trophy in that time, the FA Cup in 2014.

When asked Friday if the Czech Republic captain would be wearing the Arsenal No7 shirt next season Wenger said: "Yes. We have taken up the option (of a one-year contract extension)."

Brought to Arsenal thanks to Wenger's penchant for a player with deft technique and sharp passing, he previously played for five years with Borussia Dortmund.