Rosicky: I turned down big money offers from China and Russia to stay at Arsenal
Published 11:38 15/03/12 By MirrorFootball
Tomas Rosicky says he rejected big money offers from Russian and Chinese clubs to stay with Arsenal.
The Czech Republic star's deal with the Gunners was due to expire at the end of the season, but he signed a new contract earlier this week.
The 31-year-old has now revealed he could have turned his back on the north London club in favour of a big payday from an overseas club.
He said: "Arsenal let me get to the point where I had just half a year on my contract and could talk to anyone I wanted.
"It started to get interesting because I had very lucrative offers. This turned my head a little, but I have to say that Arsenal were my priority.
"In both cases it was financially huge numbers, so that somehow you had to entertain it, it's not easy.
"Some days I thought about it, but money is not everything, I'm glad I'll be able to continue at Arsenal."
The midfielder also denied his good run of form had anything to do with proving he was worthy of a new contract.
He said: "It had nothing to do with it. I am healthy, I play in the centre of the field and have rhythm from regular games. That is all together very important.
"When you play once a fortnight, it is difficult. I know I cannot handle all the games of the season, but the rhythm, being involved at least once a week is very important.
"And anyway, I had given my word to the coach that I would stay."
