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 can’t ever fathom just how this guy retired so many years ago. For some reason I see him running around with an Arsenal shirt but don’t ask me why because I can’t answer that. He was one of the best players in Europe and now even in the Czech Republic they say, “Who?”
totally understand on what you are saying – i think arshavin and diaby also need to step up to the plate
diaby has to sort these injuries out and arshavin well he needs to find that 2008 form!!!
ironic, he happen to be injured again.
yes i was damn happy when we signed him, but.. when he is on the pitch, its similar if he wasnt there too.
Its true i was calling for him to be sold when all the great midfielders wenger had lined up but as always wenger has a youth plan , all these wenger lovers go on about what hes done but forget the adams,berkamp, wright ,bould winterburn etc that carried the team while veria henry etc got their winning experiance but no youth has taken over with older players cause their all gone silva wasnt replaced henry & wright not replaced goalscorer freddy not replaced wengers lost the plot big time for a new manager & strong no 2 .
I think the midfielder who gets more time of playing after the departure of Fabregas and Nasri will be Ramsey, not Rosicky. If Wilshere unable to play, i believe Frimpong too will be ahead of Rosicky and not to forget, Diaby.
wishful thinking geez, he’s an average squad player nothing more. 30yrs old and still cant shoot properly, says it all really.
Mike I Share your hope and still want Arteta
A paragraph from my Frustrated Tourist piece for Gunnersphere on 13th August;
One last point and this is truly from the heart not the head. I am beginning to wonder of a rejuvenated Rosicky may not have a role to play. He has looked back to 2008 self in spells in preseason and I sincerely hope that he rises to the task and drags himself away from the Denilson, Eboue, Squillaci, Bendtner, Vela deadwood brigade
Ros is no where near good enough … he is little better than denilson, only difference is he passes forward
He is ineffective and offers us very little.
Any true AFC fan remembers what Rosicky was thought, that powerful right foot and a sneaky little bastard. You still see flashes of it; but he never got a long run in the team, be it injury or Cesc. Hope he does find some form this season, he may soon be our longest serving player.
Count me in the ‘clutching at straws’ brigade. I honestly think he has a role to play. Problem has been the past couple of years that 1. he has had more than his fare share of injuries 2. he has been played out of position. Which has led to his massive loss of confidence.
And this has been my pet peeve with AW in recent years: underestimating the value of wingers. Since Bob, Freddie and JAR left we haven’t had real wingers in the team. Walcott, Rosicky, Arshavin are all played out of their natural positions, with the result that we know. One could even argue that RvP is our only real winger (played there a lot for Holland to devastating effect) and he is also played out of position. At least he has adapted well.
Hopefully with Riyo, AOC and Gervinho we will get that width again, so that players like Rosicky and Arshavin can operate in the middle.