Tomas Rosicky must have been pretty pleased with himself at the end of last season. Despite having turned 33, the Czech midfielder had earned himself a two year contract extension after a very good season which saw him feature in 39 games for the Gunners in all competitions, the most since he joined the club back in 2006.
He had also played in the FA cup final which gave him his first taste of a trophy with Arsenal and although he only scored three goals during the season, one of them against Sunderland was described by Arsene Wenger as one of the best we had scored and the other two were in victories over the old enemy from down the road.
So it is little wonder that he is a bit put out at his lack of games this season. Officially Rosicky has two appearances so far, but in Istanbul he replaced Cazorla in injury time to run the clock down after Ramsey’s red. His only other game time so far was the last 20 minutes of the Community Shield, when Arsenal were already 3-0 up against Man City.
Rosicky has spoken about this, as reported by Sky Sports, and despite saying that he is patient and still confident that Wenger will start to use him more as the fixtures start to come thick and fast, he is clearly a bit disappointed that he has not had a chance so far to build on last season.
The midfielder said, “It’s too early for that[panic]. The season is yet to get going, the Champions League will begin and it will be a roller-coaster of fixtures.
“We will see what the situation looks like in the coming weeks and months, how it develops. I’m naturally disappointed not to have been given a chance but not panicking yet.
“All I can do now is to train properly and show that I’m prepared. And when the chance comes, to take it.
“The lack of match practice has been absolutely terrible and, naturally, it makes me very sorry that I haven’t been given a chance yet.
“It is difficult mainly because you know that the potential of the team is elsewhere and we haven’t done well so far. I think I could have helped but, unfortunately, I can’t put myself on the pitch.”
I must say I agree with Rosicky on this, because Arsenal have struggled to create goals and break teams down and this is one of the major parts of his game. So is he right to suggest that Wenger has made a mistake by not using him so far? And do you think that Rosicky will have a big say on our season this time?