English commentators are bound to look at another few years of struggling to pronounce Tomas Rosicky’s name correctly with the 33-year-old midfielder signing a new contract with Arsenal in the past week that should hold him down to the club until 2016.
He picked up the nickname Little Mozart for his ability to dictate play on the football field as a conductor does an orchestra. Although not in exactly the same mould, the God of Arsenal fans was known to flourish in a similar number 10 role while he played at the club. The God I refer to is the Non-Flying Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp who recently had a statue unveiled in his honour at the Emirates Stadium. Incidentally, Bergkamp retired in 2006 and his testimonial was the first match to be played at the Emirates Stadium (although not a competitive match) which was around the same time that Rosicky arrived at Arsenal. The two players aren’t exclusive. Bergkamp played as a second striker in the hole to create chances for a target man up front and although Rosicky favours a similar position, he is an attacking midfielder who likes to play high up the pitch and create chances. But for me, the most common factor between the two is probably the fact that Rosicky may just be the next player to retire in an Arsenal jersey after Bergkamp hung up his boots.
It is a bit astonishing that Rosicky has been offered a contract at Arsenal having crossed the barrier of 30 years of age. At this stage Arsene Wenger tends to hand out 12 month contract extensions and no more to make sure he doesn’t get stuck with an aging player. But Rosicky seems to be an exception. Wenger’s latest comments highlight how Rosicky has adapted his style of play to suit the current Arsenal team and how he bursts into life with short sprints whenever needed. Rosicky has matured into a player that the team needs especially with the absence of Aaron Ramsey over the last two months and the impending dearth of Jack Wilshere we are expected to experience. With Wilshere’s role in midfield being vacated, it can be expected that Rosicky would slot into the position on a rotational policy with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. But Ramsey is set to make a return having begun full first team training so it is possible that he and Rosicky would vie for Wilshere’s position with The Ox keeping his place on the flank.
Rosicky spent the better part of 2 years out of regular competitive football while nursing his hamstring back to health and missed the entire 2008-09 season. At an age when most players are in the prime of their footballing careers, Rosicky was forced to watch his time stumble and fall from the sidelines. But Wenger is known to have faith in his injury-laden players. The best example to site in this regard is Aaron Ramsey who suffered a broken leg in 2010 and has completely recuperated from his injury to take the football world by storm with his brilliance this season while still at the age of 23.