Tomas Rosicky says he feels a debt of gratitude to Arsenal for the way they have stuck by him throughout his nine-years at the Emirates.
The Czech international is experiencing something of an Indian summer to his Gunners career having bounced back from a career threatening injury that sidelined him for the whole of the 2008/09 season and a serious Achilles problem that kept him out for months on end after Euro 2012.
Now 33 – the oldest member of the Arsenal squad – Rosicky actually made more appearances last season (39) than any other since signing for the club in 2006. He was rewarded for his form with a new contract that keeps him at the club until 2016.
Speaking to the Independent ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield showdown with Manchester City, Rosicky reflected on his roller coaster spell in London.
“When my injury happened it was 18 months I didn’t play and they [Arsenal] stuck with me,” he said.
“I am a person who does not forget how I am treated when something goes wrong. That is something which plays a big part in it. I want to pay everything back that I can.”
With a plethora of midfield options at the club also Rosicky maintains that he’s not put off by the competition for places despite his ageing limbs.
“When the boss bought me [in 2006]. He told me, ‘Yes, I have you in this position, and I also have [Cesc] Fabregas, [Jose Antonio] Reyes, Ljungberg. Now, the names are different but the situation is the same.
“This is a big club and there always will be great players you must fight for a place. You know there will be good players and competition and I like that very much because it pushed you every day and you cannot take a week off in training.”
Having had a full pre-season and with other teammates still feeling their way back from the World Cup it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Rosicky strutting his stuff at Wembley tomorrow afternoon. He could well feature alongside fellow 30-something Mikel Arteta who says the FA Cup triumph in May already feels like a long time ago.
“It does [feel like a long time ago] but it was a really nice feeling and a big relief,” he told Arsenal.com.
“All the Arsenal fans deserved that day because they have been waiting for such a long time and the support they have been giving to the team and the club has been tremendous.
“I was so happy we could produce a moment of happiness to all of them and on the following day when we were on the bus. We saw that all those fans have been waiting for that time to come.
“I was so pleased to give them a little piece because this has to be the start. Arsenal has to be fighting for bigger trophies and have bigger aims. That has to be a consistent thing.”
Legend!
Absolutely, definitely one of my favourites. Such a good attitude and work ethic. I think he can go on for ages as pace has never been the be all and end all of his game, his football intelligence and enthusiasm are boundless. Maybe he could drop a little deeper as he gets older like Pirlo or slippy slip face, although his direct runs at the heart of the opposition seem to always stretch teams and get us salivating. Bloody love little Mozart.
Hero of a guy, hope he bags the winner on Sunday!
Looking forward to a testamonial for this legend soon
But not too soon. He’s only 29 in football years don’t you know…
I love him. He gets the club and the club gets him. Nice little dig at Sagna too.
If I meet Rosicky some day. I won’t say anything. Just hug him and walk away.
nah, i’ll ask him to have a pint with me, and talk about life, and music.
I’d even pay for the pint
I am glad he is there. Can make a difference when needed.
Accidental phone thumbs down, sorry!
Always a shame we he was robbed of playing at the peak of his powers.
In a nutshell why that dutch skunk is a dutch skunk. You are a great role model TR7, can’t wait to enjoy more trophies with you!
Rosicky, Nedved, Cech…legends. Respect to Czech players for their loyalty and humble characters
get you mate but WTF is chelski player’s name on OUR page. it ain’t nice reading…
It has to be said though that he seems like such a decent guy that it was surely a mistake he signed for chelski..
He was punished by dealing with John Terry on a daily basis…who is as always a cunt
And Davor Suker dont forget!
Little Mozart is i guess the most versetile member of the team. He has played at both wings at the hole and in central midfield. Legend!!!!
A true Legend TR7!!!
Something that the Dutch Skunk should have remembered as well. People like Rosicky is far and few between nowadays. Of all the players i was most happy for Tomas when we won the FA Cup. May his last few years be trophy laden with us! One Mozart! One Tomas Rosicky!
I understand the respect for Rosicky but… “one Mozart”?
Loyalty! So rare these days.
Yep. This is what a real man looks like!
Little mozart still to pull the strings.
Love it.
Was devastated when he left my Dortmund but what a beautiful player to sign for the greatest club in England. Mozart you are heroes to red and white and will always in black and yellows hearts!
Marco Reus, are you back in training?
You would have to think Wenger would take a look at that deal for such a low transfer fee though i think it might be the end for Poldi
When I was growing up, him and nedved were two of my favorite players(and all the gooner players off course)then he signed for Arsenal and I’d be extremely sad on the day when he would either leave the club or hang up his boots..
Keep making Danny Rose look like an idiot and you’ll have repaid the club plenty Mr Mozart
Look like an idiot?
He also deserves plaudits for his hair.
In an age where Arteta reaps notoriety, Rosicky rates equally high on the barnetometer for the consistency of his locks.
Tear them a new one Tomas, and give it a little flick as they pick it out the back of the net.
ze great Tomas… Weild a magic wand through the season and I hope you nutmeg Sagna and Clichy and Nasri for good measure as we win the CS
Rosicky is a rare breed of player. We’re lucky to have him, and even luckier to have him appreciate the club as he does.
What an amazing Legend he is, he plays like he’s still in his 20s. He plays better than most players who are almost half his age.
like that little dig t dutch skunk..similar situation…diff respond
One Tomas Rosicky. What a man!
He may be 33 but truly speaking how old he actually is? 25?
such an asset!
You owe us nothing Tomas.
What a rockstar
Legend! Tearing Sp*rs a new one since 2006. That’s enough repayment to me
I love this guy so much, so loyal and still such a fantastic player. I still have a shirt that says Czech the technique, from 06, which reminds me anyone remember his two goals in the FA cup against liverhamton back in the day, or that goal in the champions league from 30 yards.
It doesn’t which club you support, you cannot hate this guy. Such a legend!
Keep it up Tomas. We all know the grass is never greener anywhere else. Future captain? It has to be BFG, with his aerial views.
It will be Per since Rosicky doesnt play as often but a guy like him shows the class on and off the pitch in our team
Total impact player these days. Love him. You would think as a player becomes more of a ‘squad player’ his emphasis would change from impact to more of a background influence but my best moments last season with Rosicky have been banging in a belter against the shite and changing games. Pure class
Great player way back in 2006 world cup and still vibrant, we love you Thomas
The adverts at the bottom of the page seem to be advertising a pair of slippers with ‘boner’ written across them.
Rather cool. I might buy some!
thats the man, thanks Tomas
hope more silverware to come
see u tomorrow evening at wembley
He might be 33 years on paper. But on the field, he is only 25 years old. Like wine, the older the better. I salute and celebrate you, Sir Rosicky.
His comments about Sagna leaving were interesting, and coincided with Wenger saying he offered a 3 year contract,
“No one was really looking where he was going. It was more the point that he was leaving. Everyone approaches their career differently. Some are looking for money, some are looking just for the football side. Every player sees it different and everyone has the right to choose what they want.”
Yeah, I loved those comments
Probably Sagna just wanted a change of environment…thats shouldn’t be too much to ask for provided he stuck out pretty well for us these past years
one of my favourite players ever.
His hair.Only player with decent music taste in our team,and the fact that he can play guitar.
I wish he can play for years to come for us.
The only player? Obviously, you haven’t seen Szczesny playing a piano 🙂
Love this guy. A true loyal Gooner. Hope he can still contribute for years to come, including a few more thunderbolts against the spuds!
Rozzay.. U rock man.
True gooner, captain?
A football fans favourite. Good teams have players that can be appreciated universally by all fans, there are also the “cult” favourite. Henry was universal and cult, Rosicky is purely cult, an Arsenal fans guilty pleasure. A good old fashioned pro that is a dressing room favourite. It is important that Arsenal keep him around when he retires!
always fun to watch little Mozart!
Rosicky ! What a genius…may your days in Arsenal shirt be filled with joy and more glory
I don’t think any Arsenal fan sees him as a “guilty pleasure”, that implies that the fans like/love him but keep it a secret. Like my Spice Girls album. 😉
A few more blinders against the spuds and your jobs a done my man
While Skunk has his money he will die a hated man in the world’s greatest city. Whereas Mozart’s legend will ensure he lives forever.
My favourite player after Henry left. I still remember this goal like it was just yesterday https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XOhy35GvnYk&ctp=CDsQpDAYACITCOuM4ManhsACFaY5cAodzkwANVIZcm9zaWNreSBnb2FsIHZzIGxpdmVycG9vbA%3D%3D&hl=en&gl=ZA&client=mv-google
You just gave me the answer. I was confused whose jersey should I get!
love you..you little wizard!
Ramsey for my home kit, Rosicky for the yellow and blue. Just wish they weren’t $130 each in the US! But fuck it money well and truly spent!
I met a Japanese Arsenal fan abroad a couple of years ago. They asked me who my favourite player was and without hesitation I said Rosicky. She looked at me like I’d just kicked shit in her face. The next game he played in was against Sp*rs. He scored, we won and I felt vindicated.