Stunning goal and performance from the little Mozart today, but I want to his discuss his career as a whole at Arsenal, because I find it interesting to read how Arsenal fans will actually view Rosicky's time with us. We signed him in 2006 as a replacement for Pires, and he got off to a pretty good start but as we all know injuries have had a major impact on his career and it stopped him from ever being a world class player, because in that 2007-08 season, he was on the verge of becoming world class, but picked up that serious injury and missed a year and a half of football. While never capturing that sort of form again, he has continued to give great service for the Arsenal cause and for me when he is on form, he makes our whole attacking unit click and play at a higher tempo, because he is such a positive player who always looks to play the forward pass. Sadly his time at Arsenal is coming to an end and I will miss him, because having players like Rosicky in a squad is invaluable. I think Wenger has used him well this season, and has clearly been saving him for the second half of the season, and I think Rosicky has a big part to play in the final third of the season. Whatever happens, he will leave Arsenal with a lot of good will, but where would you rank him amongst ex Arsenal players? Is he a legend, or has he simply not played enough games and won enough trophies to get that sort of recognition?
Always been a fan. Workrate is always spot on. I guess the biggest critisism of Thomas is that he should have a lot more goals for us over the years. To me he looks like he still has a couple more Seasons at the top level.
I'd disagree about him not recapturing his form, he has captured it and then some, in fact currently he is more clinical in front of goal, and more clinical in terms of providing-creating goals. Those 2 years he missed have basically prolonged his career, which is why he looks like 27 rather than 34. The man clearly still has 3-4 years left in him, so long may he continue with Arsenal. I don't know if he will be remembered as a legend, a legend is a tough status to get, not even someone like Fabregas (even before he joined Chelski) would be considered an out and out legend. But no doubt he will be remembered below that tier of legends, as one of our best creative artistic players, and one of our finest continental European players.
I will remember him, quite simply, with a smile. As a man who raises the pace...and the pulse...when he's on the ball. He can do almost anything with the ball, he's a joy to watch and clearly loves football so much. I hope he stays for another year or two - he's worthy of a starting place on current form. The Little Mozart, possibly my favourite player at the club.
First of all Sanj top quality thread. All comments so far have been spot on. I remember when we signed him from Dortmund they were actually in a relegation battle at the time but Tomas was considered one of their best players and we were lucky to get him. I think he has proven to be an oustanding buy even with all the time spent on the injury table and unlike RVP he has repaid us with loyalty and truely outstanding performances over the last 2 seasons in particular. I will miss him but ultimately he did not reach legend status (not many do) But he will be remembered as a cult hero. His goal against Liverpool in 2007 was unfortunately just a glimmer of what could have been had he stayed injury free.
Echo the sentiments above. Classy little player with a superb work rate both in attack and when we don't have the ball. Tenacious in the tackle and as we saw yesterday, clinical in front of goal. I hope he has another 2-3 seasons with us.
Great write up Sanj - I always really liked Rosicky, as he had such great vision, and was always such a positive player, making forward passes and runs instead of just going sideways, also (like Santi) always did everything with a smile on his face. But I always feel that his career was ruined by injuries, and just when he should have been reaching full potential and getting to the top of his game, he was out for a year and a half. When he came back it took him and age to get fully fit and stop the niggling injuries, during which time he had too change his game as he no longer had any pace to speak of. A great player, but frustrating that we missed the best of what he could have offered.
Even were he rubbish, which he ain't, I'd always love him for the way he c*nted that goal against the Spuds. I mean...wow. I love everything about his game though. His work rate, his technique and his general attitude. He genuinely seems to love the game as well as the club and that's good enough for me. He's my second favourite player at the club after Santi and just pipping Per, a list based on whether I like them rather than ability.
There were rumours that he had a cocaine addiction too. Quite vicious rumours if untrue. Somebody above called Tomas a cult hero and I'd have to agree with that. I think it's admirable the way he has persevered and kept himself in contention as an important part of the squad. He's also scored some vitally important goals - not least his habit of scoring against the Spuddies!
Rosicky also comes across as a great bloke and proper team man. I remember last season after his thunderbastard against Spurs, the camera man ran to him after the game, and Rosicky just blanked him, while that attention seeking **** Podolski was urging him to turn around and take the limelight.
