Mikel Arteta says he was immediately impressed by Tomas Rosicky when he signed for Arsenal back in 2011 and claimed the Czech international remains one of the club’s most underrated players.
Reflecting on his early training sessions at London Colney the Spaniard recalled how his eye was caught by the veteran Gunner’s finesse and array of skills…nunchuck skills, bo hunting skills, computer hacking skills…that type of thing.
“Within a week of joining Arsenal, watching Tomas train and having him play alongside me, I knew he was one of the most underrated players,” the club captain told the official matchday programme ahead of the Gunners’ FA Cup 3rd round clash with Hull City.
“It’s hard to find players like Tomas who can be that clever and do things so simply and lively on the pitch.
“I think everybody likes to play next to Tommy and I’m very happy for him because he was given the chance and again he hit the spot.
“He can carry the ball and he’s got that 10-yard spurt where he can change direction, his vision and his final ball.
“Something people sometimes don’t think about with Tomas is that he works really hard. He’s always very alert with very high concentration levels during the game and that’s why he’s so good.”
Rosicky has only made three starts so far this season, including the festive fixtures against QPR and Southampton and an earlier game against the Saints in the Capital One Cup.
He’s cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines, but at 34-years-old there’s also an acceptance on his part that he’s a bit further down the pecking order these days.
For the time being though, while we deal with the absence of six other midfielders, Tommy’s someone we need to step up and deliver…those bo hunting skills could be very important when dealing with the Tigers tomorrow.
Hopefully he gets another run out against hull. To be fair, we don’t have much of a choice though haha 🙂
Arteta lauding Little Mozart… I am absolutely swooning here!
That puts me in mind of ‘The Beer Can’
Such a random thing to come out with on the 1st day of the transfer window. It’s kinda like hes a LANS.
A LLANS, you mean?
What is LANS?
“Like A New Signing”, a Wengerism. Also see “Fourth Place Trophy”.
“Fourth place trophy” isn’t a wengerism. Its what spurs and Liverpool fans used to taunt us with as their clubs desperately tried and failed to break into “the top four” champions league places. It is a fucking trophy by the way, a magical invisible trophy that you use to sign players like Sanchez and ozil and cazorla.
Of course it is a wengerism
http://www.espnfc.com/story/1201095/arsene-wenger-fourth-place-like-a-trophy
So, i guess you have the iq of a rock if you cant understand that getting money from champions league (i.e top4) was/is EXTREMELY important for Arsenal. Especially when repaying their ground.
Arsenal start as defending champions in the FA Cup.
My favourite player at Arsenal for the past 3 season, when fit and on form he’s up there among the best AMF i’ve ever seen. At 34 he still looks sharper than most of his younger team mate.
Legend loyal consistent great professional. Always been one of my favourites. Absolutely love rosicky
I would like to see Rozza retiring in Arsenal colours.
10 yard spurt indeed. What happens in the change rooms should stay in the change rooms.
were they on radio 4
I just wish i could spurt 10yards!
Thanks for the effort News Hound, but this is a bit of a pointless article. Apologies in advance for any offence caused, as none was intended.
Thanks for the effort Spinner, but this is a bit of a pointless comment. Zero fucks given in advance for any offence caused, as it may have been intended.
Ya know Spinner, I am quite thankful for a little escape from the frothing mouthed spittle-infused anger spews after every ‘meaningful’ article.
The very fact you tagged on your ‘apology’ means you knew it was rude.
So why do it?
My two favourites..
Wenger out!
Give it a rest..
Nolan out
‘Girls only want boys who’ve got great skills.’ Napolean Dynamite reference, excellent.
I bet he owns a liger, half lion, half tiger, it’s the most magical
did you confuse Mozart with Merlin?
My favorite arsenal player, retire with us Mozart!
I prefer his 20 yard thunderbolts against Spurs (b)
I personally believe his nunchuks skills will be our biggest advantage tomorrow.
Neither of them are contributing a great deal. Frankly, I would have sold both this season along with Flamini. Also would have let go of Diaby. That money would have got us 2 good mid fielders and a CB at least….We need to be cut throat to survive against the Chavs, ManC’s and United. Hope some good sense prevails during this transfer window.
It’s a bit hard to contribute a great deal when you’ve spent a lot of the season on the bench or in the medical room.
If you are 34 and better than others, you should play most games you are available and fit for. Do not understand automatically downgrading players because of age. I never managed a single game but Giggs kept being selected for big games at more than 38.
Good to have experience in the squad . He’s still a decent player. worth keeping around.
I will love him forever for that Tottenham screamer!
I hope we retain him so the youngsters can learn from him,still think wenger disbanded the invincibles too fast some of our youngsters have hadto grow up too fast without a role model to learn. theo was lucky tolearn from titi and has thus improved his general game play and finishing
I don’t think he had much option to keep them together.
I think we need to consider playing Rosicky next to Coquelin. I like Chambers but he is still too raw and it is too imbalance. Where as Rosicky provides a bit of seniority in the middle plus ability to transition us better. Probably in Flamini’s absence a middle trio with both Rosicky and Ox close to attendance of Coquelin will be a better balance. Santi just ahead in the free role and Alexis + Walcott as an attacking pair should Welbeck or Giroud be uninvolved IMO. The threat should be from both flanks. Alexis on his own is too negating… Read more »
The other issue with Rosicky is his effectiveness is probably more pronounce from deeper in the middle than out at LW.
Bo hunting? http://tinyurl.com/qdy9x7e
Tomas is a legend. We love him to bits. Pick him every week and build the team around him, thats assuming they’ve got the brains to understand what he’s trying to do. Sadly don’t think many of them have got a football brain at all.