Most Arsenal fans are expecting something of a clearout this summer. The feeling is that many Arsenal’s squad contains a lot of deadweight; the likes of Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson, Sebastien Squilacci, Abou Diaby and others don’t seem up to the standard that Arsenal fans demand from a team that was almost dominating English football eight or nine years ago.
Another player who has slipped into this ‘good enough/not good enough’ grey area is one Tomas Rosicky. The Czech international started his career in North London with promise but a string of long term injuries and an inability to sustain any sort of consistency has left many people pondering his worth.
Arsene Wenger brought Rosicky in from Borussia Dortmund in 2006 and he got his Arsenal career off to a good start. He linked up well in midfield with Alexander Hleb and scored some good goals (2 goals against Liverpool in the FA cup come to mind). He seemed like the perfect fit for the Gunner’s ethos and style of play. He had a good first touch and could spot passes that were, at the time, on par with Fabregas’ ability.
His second season was a similar story. He had established himself in the first team midfield alongside the likes of Fabregas, Hleb, Flamini and Gilberto Silva. A few more goals were scored but his importance to the team was based mainly on his passing ability.
It was at this point that things started to go wrong. A hamstring injury prevented Rosicky from making any appearances in the 2008-09 season. Although not a memorable season, 09-10 saw him return from injury. He would still pick up reoccurrences of the injury from time to time but he finished the season with 33 appearances and 3 goals.
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This season he has largely been a periphery figure in the Arsenal squad. While not considered a starter for the first-team he has made a few substitute appearances and has clocked up a few starts thanks to injuries (he started the Carling Cup final). He has even been handed the captains armband at a few points during games. The FA cup tie against Leyton Orient saw Rosicky score his first goal for Arsenal in 13 months.
This history of Rosicky’s playing career may seem underwhelming compared to the promise he showed when he first arrived and with the introduction of Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri to the squad; Rosicky has seen his position filled by more talented and more consistent personnel. But does all this mean that Rosicky doesn’t have a part to play in the Gunner’s future?
In terms of ability on the pitch, Rosicky is not good enough to compete with the first team players. However, as a squad player he does have a case for being retained. He has the experience and level-headedness that the other players on the outskirts of Arsenal’s first team midfield (Denilson, Diaby) simply don’t possess. Whilst he might not have that cutting impact as a substitute in games where Arsenal need inspiration; he can be an introduction of calmness to games where the Gunner’s are already in control and need to see things through.
No one knows what Arsene Wenger has planned for the transfer window in the summer. There are certainly players whose services are no longer required and if midfield additions are made then Rosicky could find himself one of those to be shown the door. If, however, Wenger follows his usual pattern of buying young players then it might be worth keeping Rosicky simply as a level head to make sure the younger players keep their mentality in check.
Click HERE to see the original article. This article was first published on ThisIsFutbol
Written by Nicholas Edwards
Bendtner should go nowhere but unfortunately the team has outgrown Tomas.
He was pivotal when arrived but we’ve developed, got better players in and unfortunately he hasn’t progressed (perhaps due to injuries).
I hate calling for players to move on, but for his and our sake.. he must.
@Welsh_Gooner
I think Rosicky is a vital play maker after Fabregas and anyone who said he should go is silly. Bendtner is far too arrogant and clumsy i think to play for arsenal and Denilson is just shit.