I remember watching Tomas Rosicky scoring a blinder for the Czech Republic in the 2006 World Cup. I can’t remember who it was against, I just remember thinking it was an excellent goal. I also remember being aware that we’d just signed him. I was pleased with what I saw. Here was a player of real class and he was coming to the Arsenal.
Rosicky, called the ‘The Little Mozart’ because of his ability to orchestrate a football match, is the captain of his national team. He is known for his penetrative range of passing and for his coolness under pressure.
He had a successful career with Sparta Prague and later with Borussia Dortmund before he joined us. He came with high expectations. So much so that he was handed the No.7 shirt, formerly worn by a little known winger called Robert Pires. Anyone remember him?
So, why am I writing about Rosicky? Well, quieten down at the back and I’ll tell you.
In many ways Tomas is the forgotten man at Arsenal. He’s just never delivered on the promise that he came to us with. Arsene Wenger is obviously enamoured with him, after all, he renewed his contract rather than selling him. I can only assume that he is an integral part of the team off the field, as well as bit part player on it.
I don’t think that we’ve seen the best of him at Arsenal. He has had several injuries that have kept him on the treatment table for large chunks of time. It’s been a very frustrating period of his career for him, I would imagine. Yes, the injuries have limited his appearances, but, let’s not forget that he was also behind Fabregas in the pecking order at the Emirates.
Well now the path to first-team is much clearer. With Cesc leaving and Nasri, presumably, not far behind, a slot in the starting 11 has opened up.
I really believe that if Arsenal are to do anything this season then Rosicky is going to have to come good. The signs are there that he can be an important player for us on the pitch as well as off it. He’s been fit for a while now. He has bags of experience and leadership qualities – something widely acknowledged as being missing from our team.
I know, I know, I’m clutching at straws if I pin my hopes on Rosicky being our saviour. Everyone wants us to bring in players for that position, and whilst I won’t disagree with the calls for reinforcements, I reckon that Rosicky can bring something to party.
He’s been with us for many years now. He loves the club. He’s combative. He has the skills needed to push us forward – he just needs a run in the team and to hit a rich vein of form. He is certainly more than capable – the flashes we’ve seen up till now have demonstrated that.
Whilst many Gunners won’t want to rely on him, given the situation at the club at the moment, I think it’s highly likely that this is going to be the most important season that Rosicky has had at Arsenal, for player and club alike.
If we’re going to be competitive in the league and in Europe, then we’re going to need ‘The Little Mozart’ to start showing the composure on the ball that we know he is capable of. With his passing game, Rosicky can unlock defences, and we need that offensive creativity now more than ever.
This is Rosicky’s most important season at the club. Let’s hope he steps up to the mark.
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i personally think that Rosicky is an amazing player with great skill and in every game he plays his passes and crosses are on the spot every time….don’t you remember the 2007/2008 season where Rosicky was amazing! he socored a few goals too but then he got a very bad injury and was out for nearly a year and 5 months ! he has bags of talent and deserves a 1st team spot along side with Frimpong my Arsenal team would be:
Szczesny
sagna
Koscienly(great defender unlucky about injury)
Vermaelen
Traore
Frimpong
Song
Wilshere(Ramsey on bench)
Walcott
Gervinho
Ven Persie(Vela+Bendtner on bench)