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The “Real” Tomas Rosicky

By mac14 on August 24, 2010

[YouTube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un5nLLul-s4]

Yes, the main story of Saturday’s 6-nil win over Blackpool was Theo’s hat-trick. But, what seems to be lost in the hoopla, is the absolutely sterling performance of Tomas Rosicky. I had been hoping for one of those “<player> vs. <opposition>” videos to pop up on You Tube and now it finally has done.

Rosicky was either at the start or at the heart of nearly everything Arsenal did well on Saturday. Right from the kick-off, he propelled the team forward whether it was dropping ball after ball into space or picking it up in his own half and, basically, doing one of the best Fabregas impersonations I’ve seen in a long while.

He made the perfectly-placed pass to Arshavin, who set up the opening goal. He set Walcott free nearly half-a-dozen times including the move that led to a great save on Arshavin’s half-volley. He also threaded the ball perfectly between two defenders for Chamakh, who subsequently drew the penalty that saw Arsenal go up 2-nil and Blackpool down to ten men. He played the ball to Sagna down the right that led to Diaby’s goal. He played the ball into space for Arshavin, who delivered a sitter missed by Chamakh. He also made a fantastic pass after turning to Vela making a run into the box.

Every one of these balls were just glorious to watch. Rosicky put on the central midfield “masterclass” that David Pleat, and only David Pleat, thought Nasri had done at Anfield. Now, I am of course mindful that he was playing much of the match against a 10-man relegation favorite and therefore had more space than usual. But, nevertheless… Rosicky’s vision, creativity, and deftness of touch appears to have fully returned following his losing 18 months due to injury in what should be his prime.

His injury problems have been so consistent that even though he’s beginning his fifth year at the club, we’ve never seen him really hit top gear for any period of time. It remains to be seen whether or not he is really over the recurring muscle injuries, but he has said he feels better than ever after having his first full preseason in years. A good sign is that Rosicky not only stood around dropping ball after ball for his teammates to run onto, but he also went in hard, and won, a number of 50-50s in the center of midfield. Furthermore, his distribution from central midfield was fantastic as he worked every inch of the middle and attacking thirds on Saturday.

Of course, Rosicky is likely to play the majority of his time on the pitch this season out wide, but Saturday was a reminder of just how devastating a player he can be in the middle when fully healthy and match-fit. The confidence the Boss has in him was fully evident when he was offered a contract extension this past January despite having been injured for most of the previous 24 months.

I remember being really excited about the club signing Rosicky. But we have only seen glimpses of the “real” Rosicky-the one who scored that unbelievable Champions League goal, the one who scored the goal at Anfield, etc…. So, while we look forward to the emergence of Theo, Jack, and some of the other young players, I am also looking forward this season to the emergence of the “real” Tomas Rosicky.

17 Comments

South African Gooner

August 24, 2010 at 10:17 am

Thank you! I agree with absolutely everything you’ve said here. Rosicky is a player of incredible class, and indeed one of the most underrated players as Arsene Wenger’s disposal. I hope to see more of his talents in the starting line up this season.

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9jagun

August 24, 2010 at 10:29 am

Nice talk bro i pray he gets plenty of time to show he still got it without injury please

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Tommo

August 24, 2010 at 11:38 am

What you think of putting fabregas back in a deeper role and leaving rozza in the ACM role? I wouldn’t mind giving it a go.

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- Arsenal Station
  
  August 24, 2010 at 5:21 pm
  
  I don’t see it happening, Tommo. As long as he’s here, Cesc owns the middle and that’s all there is to it. But it is quite amazing to think that with Cesc not fit to start and Nasri and Ramsey injured, we still have a player of Rosicky’s caliber to play in that role. Unlike Arshavin and, even, Hleb, I always felt Rosicky was being held back by being forced out wide on the left.
  
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ONOWU TOP GUNNER

August 24, 2010 at 12:07 pm

Rosy is a top class

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Aristote

August 24, 2010 at 12:30 pm

My team for Blackburn
Almunia
sagna koscienly vermaelen clichy
Rosicky diaby fabregas
Walcott. Chamack. Van persie

we need some big physical players for this players. I too believe rosicky was awesome and could possibly be the special incredient we need for the title. Come on arsenal

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yash

August 24, 2010 at 1:39 pm

all those who were calling him rosicknote or saying that he was finished..hahaha..there is your answer!!!
Rosicky is the main man..he is better than xavi or even arshavin!!!Why i am comparing him to arshavin is because when nasri comes back, some1 will have to step out..and i guess it’ll be rosicky..which i wont like at all.
arshavin is disillusionalised..doesnt seem to care anymore..LAZY!!

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Kobby Ray Don Pedro

August 24, 2010 at 1:42 pm

The little mozart is awesome, he is just like iniesta when fit, and i cant wait to see him blossom this season.

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clockendjim

August 24, 2010 at 2:15 pm

I’m so glad you have highlighted what a fantastic game Rosicky had; definitely my Man of the Match. This was however picked up by several of the newspapers with The Times giving him the top mark of 8. I dont know what you have to do to get a 9 or 10.
He also made the difference when he came on as sub at Liverpool and only a great Reina save stopped him scoring a wonder goal. The promise was there.
When Ramsey and Nasri are fit we will have an embarrassment of riches in midfield; a nice situation to be in.
I only hope Wenger sorts the goalkeeper problem, because all the good work could be undone if we still have Almunia between the posts

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Musa onyango

August 24, 2010 at 2:49 pm

I suport the speaker by 100% about rosicky, he’s perfect.

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derrick

August 24, 2010 at 2:54 pm

rosicky has always been our best player.ridiculous creativity,hard shot that can rival even van persie and very good team player.if only he can stay injury free…he’s THE player to win us the title!!!

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Jaygooner

August 24, 2010 at 7:52 pm

It really is good news to see Tomas back. All through pre season, he has been the man with the plan. He looks so healthy its unreal! Is it the new haircut? Dunno, but he does not look anything like the wan pale slight but gifted player we orriginally purchased. I only wish he would shoot on sight like he used to. That will come I guess.

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Baafuor from Ghana

August 25, 2010 at 2:12 pm

I think Rosicky was our best player last Saturday.he is way way better than Nasri.he is more direct and that was clearly evident when he came on at Anfield.He changed the game with his direct runs and passes.Nasri hangs on to the ball for far too long and when he releases it, his passes are often sideways.But he will be wasted playing on the wings.Sometimes against teams that pack the bus, he should be played along Cesc and Song in the middle.

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JOHN

August 26, 2010 at 9:52 am

I think rosicky have self cofidence in every time .

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Nott

September 18, 2010 at 2:06 pm

ไอ้อ่อน

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Nott

September 18, 2010 at 2:07 pm

เมิงแม่งไป ชักว่าวไป

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