Former Arsenal star Gael Clichy says Tomas Rosicky was amongst the best players he ever played with during his time at the club.

Rosicky faced off against his former team-mate last night in a Czech vs. World XI friendly match to mark Rosicky’s retirement from football after an impressive 19-year career.

Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Bacary Sagna, Alex Song and Jens Lehmann were just some of Rosicky’s ex-team-mates who turned out for the occasion.

It was Rosicky’s side who came out on top – running out 5-2 winners with the midfielder’s son also getting on the scoresheet in a touching moment in Prague.

And following the game, Clichy took time to pay tribute to who he described as a “special” player and man.

Tomas Rosicky's son scoring a goal during his farewell match. ❤ pic.twitter.com/3i0TpKfyrI

— Arsenal FC News (@ArsenalFC_fl) June 11, 2018

“Football is losing a great one-off player,” Clichy told Arsenal Player. “I remember when he signed for Arsenal years ago, everyone was excited, so it’s pleasing to be here. He’s a friend, football is a game and moments like this weekend are forever.

“I was really pleased when I got the text from him to play this game, because I think the first two years I played with him were the best of my career.

“It’s easy to be a nice guy in football when you don’t have quality, but when you are a talented guy like him, you don’t seem many guys like him – humble and talented – you don’t see that often. He’s a special player and special man.

“Everyone calls him the Little Mozart and I don’t recall any player being called something like this. Of course he’s an artist, people might have forgotten what type of player he was, but he worked for the team as well as being a magician up front. He was complete.”