If You Love Football, You Love Rosicky.

Posted by pedantic George @arseblagger on January 26, 2015 in All Posts

Rosicky’s shirt in the Borussia Dortmund Museum

A record attendance yesterday evening at the new Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium to see them play The Arsenal play for the second time in the cup in the last few years. I guess the Brighton fans enjoyed the football last time out. Not forgetting the Arsenal support:

“You’ve only come to see The Arsenal”

Like Steww I had a feeling last season was a special year. Nothing to do with the Cup games, more so the controlled Ozil inspired surge to the top of the table. Coincidentally or perhaps magically it was during the home league game against Hull when Nicholas Bendtner scored after sixty-odd seconds following Jenkinson’s early run and cross. If Bendy scores after the first minute upon what might have been his first start in the league after trying to leave the club I concluded for myself that it would be a good season for The Arsenal.
Bendtner didn’t quite follow through; circumstances meant he was relegated behind Sanogo when the new player regained or gained fitness. In my ignorant and speculative opinion the squad model since 07/08 has always been to have two Big Lumps up top to juggle with the speedsters. Amidst some confusion Bendtner’s season ended early late one night with him humping a hubcap during a break back home. Fortunately The Arsenal kept their focus and came through in the end.

Brighton. A big difference for me going to an away game outside of London. Usually, what with AFC being a “local club for local people” according to the not so great and good I trundle along the hard yards to Home games.

First starts for Özil and Walcott, a second start for Ramsey upon their returns. As expected the BFG was given a well earned rest, and neither Ozil or Walcott had he legs to last ninety minutes as the Seagulls found some late hope and energy.

I have a good feeling about this season too. Why? Well Arsenal football club signed my favourite non-Arsenal footballer, Alexis Sanchez.
Following on from the Ozil and Cazorla signings. The rehabilitation of Master Rosicky. The recovery from major injuries of Ramsey and Wilshere (just about regaining his best fitness and form, that acceleration, before he was hacked off the park, again. Not even a foul called…). Chambers coming in to complete his apprenticeship under the Big German (Wilshere is for me Rozza’s apprentice), some new signing to help alleviate Koscielny’s workload. It’s a fair guess that having managed Rosicky’s fitness for the final run of fixtures in recent seasons no staff knows more about tricksy tendons in football then those at the Arsenal? I might be over optimistic but I couldn’t groan about those who signed Koscielny in the first place wanting to make sure they found the correct player to cover. We could again see against Brighton the logic in wanting to give Monreal more minutes during the season, to help him to develop and also because like many footballers he appears to play better when not coming in to the team cold.

The returning Walcott scored at the start of the match following a great run and cross from the rested Chambers (whisper it – rotation!) a fantastic finish from a player who like Rosicky has received his share of abuse from the self declared Experts. We’ve become used to seeing such efficiency from him, but he’ll need a little bit of time. Perhaps the players could’ve exploited that right side further in the first half?

Doesn’t really matter, Ozil scored too.

Perhaps the Brighton players were confused about which of Ozil or Rozza was meant to be on the left, they both popped up in the middle. Ozil and Walcott scoring upon their returning starts, Captain Rosicky with another performance and finish for the scrap book.

Does it get better then that?

Akpom played. Which was great, even though he’d have been happier attacking and not having to help close out the game, but I was impressed. He’s quick!

Chamberlain? Rested or a knock I’m not sure but he could easily have done with a rest with Walcott coming in.

Welbeck to return.

Many of you will know how big a fan I’ve been of Rosicky over the long years. Some wanted to tear up his contract whilst Dortmund fans were dreaming of adding his Arsenal shirt to their museum.

I’m not really sure that I can add much more to the script for this game! Including Brighton’s desire to try and get back in the contest. Fortunately when defending a single goal lead in the cup the Arsenal manager had the nous to not put on a player who had when last in the PL evolved into a tennish type player (for obvious reasons?), he (insert Coquelin reference of choice) instead.

Same score as the last visit? The Brighton fans were gracious and still singing after the game. And the half time pies were pretty good too. Real food no less, no cardboard in sight (except for some Eco-friendly packaging). I guess that with a cheaper smaller provincial build they didn’t need to sign a long deal with scammers like Delaware when it came to catering etc. for their new stadium.

Brighton and Hove Albion is a nice football club. I wish them well.

Except for when they play against The Arsenal.

This was a guest post from Finsbury. I have not edited it [much – Ed], as due to his (let’s say) unique writing style (which we here are so familiar with) I wouldn’t know where to start, and then it wouldn’t be so wonderfully Finsburyesque

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87 comments on “If You Love Football, You Love Rosicky.”

pedantic george January 26, 2015 at 10:41 am

There should be a lovely picture of the Rosicky shirt at the top of the post. But I cant make it show. Sorry Fins. Andrew will fix it tonight.

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Georgaki-pyrovolitis January 26, 2015 at 11:05 am

Fucking excellent Fins…..thanks.

Now I’m off to Brussels to advise our UK MEPs on some aspects of toxicology….I’ve been issued with literature including some warnings about the language and attitudes some of them have. Be warned for comments like “what can I do for you?” And “I don’t understand these ‘omics’ technologies but I think they are crap!” About on a par with Phil Neville……

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Limestonegunner January 26, 2015 at 11:13 am

Great post, Fins. My first away match ever and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Great support–“is this the Emirates?” Of course not, I thought, it is too loud! Amazing that 4 thousand Gooners can make so much more noise than 60 at our own ground, but you do feel inspired when surrounded by others willing to sing. Our defense was cobbled together a bit with less shielding in midfield without Coquelin, but we managed and even got goals from returnees. I loved Arsene’s statement on TR, who was so elegant with the ball, ubiquitous off it. My personal Arsenal attending win streak is now at 6! COYG! Much to play for this season. Could be a very big one and I am happy to hear the players aiming high even in the league.

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Limestonegunner January 26, 2015 at 11:18 am

And I do have to chime in with how impressed I was with Brighton and its inhabitants. Beautiful hilly city on the coast, clean station and attractive stadium, friendly people in the shops and pubs and even the Seagull fans on the trains to and from the stadium quite reasonable and light-hearted about it all. A great day out, an Arsenal win as defending cup holders, and a run out for injury returnees. Superb! Arsenal rolls on…. Win at home v. villa, go into the derby away with confidence and who knows where we could go?!

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anicoll5 January 26, 2015 at 11:36 am

Excellent Fins and ample recognition of our Czech conductor, still scampering around in the final minutes like a player ten years younger. He is a player who makes it clear how much he enjoys playing football and not all of them do.

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finsbury January 26, 2015 at 11:38 am

Thanks George, both Georges. Not a bad effort for myself considering it was partially written on the way home on the phone inbetween some songs and celebrations, after a long hard day…

Limestone you were there! Next time…

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Mel January 26, 2015 at 11:41 am

Always love it when Fins or Anicoll do the post match write up,find myself nodding away like that Churchill dog,fantastic stuff!

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ArsenalAndrew January 26, 2015 at 11:49 am

Beautifully put Fins, an entertaining read for an entertaining game – enjoyed both immensely!

(Will sort pic when I get home and fire up the mainframe).

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finsbury January 26, 2015 at 11:50 am

I do not recommend writing on the smartphone.

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Limestonegunner January 26, 2015 at 11:53 am

Right behind the goal in the second row, Fins! Perfect spot for serenading WS with the “smokes when he wants” and “he only smokes in the shower” songs! And best view of the magnificent TR goal.

Should have checked in–must try to get to a match or watch together in the vicinity sometime.

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foreverheady January 26, 2015 at 12:08 pm

Thanks Fins; top stuff as ever and I’m glad that all who went enjoyed it so much, and that Brighton’s still a fun place to be. For old times sake I’d love to see Chris Hughton sort them out and get them really challenging for a Premiership place next season: the stadium looks as if it is ready for that.
It was a funny game to watch at home: too easy to start with to get the pulse racing, and slight feelings of doom in the second half, that thankfully were unfounded. I bet Walcott, Ozil and Ramsey feel tired today, so well done the manager for playing them when it would have been easy to go for the safety first option and simply repeated the Manchester City formula. He’s always a few moves ahead of most of us, to be honest, but I don’t need to tell anyone on here that.

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pedantic george January 26, 2015 at 12:35 pm

Is the photo showing at the start of the post?

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anicoll5 January 26, 2015 at 12:54 pm

not at this particular time

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anicoll5 January 26, 2015 at 12:57 pm

Does this help ?

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pedantic george January 26, 2015 at 1:14 pm

How odd. its on mine.

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shottagunna January 26, 2015 at 2:29 pm

Excellent title to this blog, if I might say so myself. (Pats own back heavily until wrist hurt for making the suggestion in a random post yesterday.)

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Team Spirit January 26, 2015 at 4:23 pm

WELL. written fins…

Nice for those of us that could not be there!

Then i see this on the BBC… the 2nd half of the season is unfolding nicely…

Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 live commentator
Arsenal secure Paulista permit

Football

Posted at 16:14

Arsenal have had a work permit granted for Gabriel Paulista and are hoping to confirm the signing of the Villarreal defender in the next 24 hours.

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gainsbourg69 January 26, 2015 at 4:29 pm

Good work, Mr, Finsbury. With Rosicky playing one or two games a month, we have exceptional midfield talent in abundance.

Lime, you think Wilshere is Rosicky’s apprentice? I think it’s either the Ox, although he’s looking more and more like a brick house Alexis, or Ramsey.

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apropos January 26, 2015 at 5:34 pm

Thanks Fins.

Agreed, Rosicky, what a player. As a warm up to the game I watched a video clip of our best team goals from last season. What struck me most was how many of them Rosicky was involved in. I had almost forgot how important he was for us when we were missing our key players last season. The clip also reminded me of our 2008 team. I wonder what could have been if Rosicky had stayed injury-free back then. That season we played what the secret footballer called the best football on the planet. But of course no need to look back, if anything this team got even more potential.

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foreverheady January 26, 2015 at 5:54 pm

Apropos: should you ever watch the youtube video of Rosicky’s Arsenal goals you will also note how often Diaby was involved in the build-up, which goes a long way to explaining why he has been given the space and time to get better. How sad that for him it doesn’t look as if it will ever happen, but how good that the club is prepared to do that. I sense there are some who are already doubting Jack Wilshere for the same reasons.

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eduardo January 26, 2015 at 6:02 pm

bielik has been added to the first team squad list on Arsenal.com, he has got No. 36

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eduardo January 26, 2015 at 6:19 pm

Bring me to laugh @18DialSquare86 · 2h 2 hours ago
Is this a pisstake? Is Anthony Taylor REALLY officiating our match Vs. Villa on Sunday ?!

@FA explain yourselves??

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HenryB January 26, 2015 at 7:01 pm

Excellent Post. Finsbury.

Post-match reports written by someone who had watched the game on the TV can be very good, but often constrained by the camera views of the pitch and the focal point of an attack they concentrate on.

The beauty of a Post written by one of our own who has actually been to the game in person. Little details not otherwise seen and a sense of the atmosphere percolate through the article, and you carried that off very well indeed. Thank you.

I think the FA Cup draw will be made about 7:20 on the One Shop — but don’t hold your collective breath — I am probably wrong.

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eduardo January 26, 2015 at 7:24 pm

Arsenal v Middlesborough

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eduardo January 26, 2015 at 7:28 pm

The fifth round ties are as follows:

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool/Bolton Wanderers

Arsenal vs Middlesbrough

Aston Villa vs Leicester City

West Brom vs West Ham United

Bradford City vs Sunderland/Fulham

Blackburn Rovers vs Stoke City/Rochdale

Derby County vs Reading

Preston North End/Sheffield United vs Manchester United/Cambridge United

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arse_or_brain January 26, 2015 at 7:28 pm

great write up Fins, to be honest it was a great cup tie and a great atmosphere. 4 penalty shouts all turned down to the benifit of the game even though 2/3 should have been given. Only the one with the greer dive was definetly not a pen, and that was one of many booking he got away with. The ref was suffering from f.a. cup politeness, from what i hear one of many over the weekend.
just pulled Middlesborough at home in the draw not an easy game but at least were at home I think utd will be favourites now.

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Team Spirit January 26, 2015 at 7:45 pm

when these weird refs who are so totally anti arsenal start showing up, you know the arsenal is on the up… We will shock them and give Taylor no reason to be fraudulent by God’s grace.. All should better remain calm

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finsbury January 26, 2015 at 8:22 pm

Thanks everyone. Hope you all enjoyed the game.

Henry it’s true you see different things depending upon where you are sat. Sat at the opposite end to the Brighton goal in the first half, not a million miles from where Limestone would’ve been sitting I couldn’t fully appreciate Ozil’s finish until I saw a replay or two or five.
Which is where smartphones can be very smart!

It’s true inside the stadium as well, I have enjoyed various vistas at the new Arsenal Stadium, this season I finally tried out the lower tier halfway line seats, and that is as per footballing folklore the best place to view a football match.

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Limestonegunner January 26, 2015 at 9:57 pm

Gains, they should all be his apprentices. He’s the master midfield composer!

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Limestonegunner January 26, 2015 at 10:00 pm

Agree, Fins, had a seat like that for Dortmund. Perfect view. Unfortunately the atmosphere was too tepid. Give me the ends for atmosphere and I’ll watch on Arsenal Player at home to catch what I couldn’t see as closely.

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apropos January 26, 2015 at 10:12 pm

FH, truly sad thing about Diaby. One of the most dynamic player I have seen in an Arsenal shirt. Two long strides with the ball and the rampage is on. As for Jack there was a negative piece on him today on daily fail. They somehow managed to turn a positive team win against Brighton to a negative spin about an individual player who didn’t even feature in that game. I just can’t bother to click on that kind of shit anymore, seeing the title is enough.

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Goona Gal January 26, 2015 at 10:24 pm

Ta Fins – this was a very engaging read, written in your great inimitable style. The British press – who don’t seem to place much value in doing any journalistic research, have barely a clue about Rosicky. Yesterday he embodied ‘the Arsenal way’ of playing football.

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Goona Gal January 26, 2015 at 10:43 pm

My preferred seats are lower tier near halfway line (I was warned about behaving when sat there because your more visible many moons ago) or close to the Clock end.

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eduardo January 26, 2015 at 11:30 pm

so the ref (Anthony Taylor) who was suspended from the ref list after his inept performance in the Arsenal v Aston Villa game last season, is to ref Arsenal v Aston Villa next Sunday. No agenda from the PGMOL then.

Orbinho @Orbinho · 7h 7 hours ago
Anthony Taylor has sent off an Arsenal player in three of the last four Gunners games he has officiated.

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double canister January 26, 2015 at 11:33 pm

Thank’s for the write up Fins.
Arsenal were comfortable enough, and a beautiful trio of goals from 3 very special players. Especially so when you would normally expect Giroud, Santi and Alexis to do the damage.
‘Boro in the next round, at the Ems- so we really can’t complain – they will be well organised, our team should expect no less.
Lots of football yet to be played this season – we will need a big squad.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Boss brings someone in on deadline day – at about the £5m level. the euro is only going one way, so it’s making Arsenal’s £££ go further ever day.

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double canister January 26, 2015 at 11:35 pm

Ryo scored a goal today. It’s infectious.

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Goona Gal January 26, 2015 at 11:55 pm

I might be a bit biased but Arsenal at home to Middlesbrough feels like the glamour tie.

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Goona Gal January 27, 2015 at 12:01 am

@ DC – maybe with the Euro tanking we should ask Messi whether he’s ready for a fresh challenge, his buy out clause might be doable if we offer them a couple of farthings and three shiny new buttons.

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Bradys right foot January 27, 2015 at 12:49 am

TR7 what a player, simply a joy to watch.

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anicoll5 January 27, 2015 at 8:06 am

I see Clattenburg has been given CFCvCiteh – now there is a coincidence.

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layksite January 27, 2015 at 9:58 am

hi guys. thanks as always finsbury for the post.
well played dortmund for that. its the closest honour to having his statue erected in their musium.
its difficult to love football and not like rosicky.
sorry if i offend you guys with this derisory comparism, rosicky ( the one i call shakira for the way he dances around players ) because of his quality and class is difficult to have anyone close to him but he is like ryan giggs ( i said i’m sorry ) at least in longevity. i still see him here at the same level in the next three seasons. he just cant slow down. and he is 34? more like 24.

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dkgÖÖnér January 27, 2015 at 10:55 am

Interesting bit from the Guardian:

“I can confirm that we will be calling him Gabriel at Guardian HQ because Paulista is not his surname. It is a reference to him being from São Paulo. Gabriel’s actual name is Gabriel Armando de Abreu.”

Now you know.

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eduardo January 27, 2015 at 11:35 am

Yaya Sanogo is 22 today

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eduardo January 27, 2015 at 11:44 am

one man team Arsenal have more FAPL scorers than any other team this season

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8TGCBICcAAXsLE.jpg:large

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pedantic george January 27, 2015 at 12:30 pm

“Tomáš Rosický´s agent told me that @Arsenal have rejected a few offers from @LaLiga and @premierleague clubs for Little Mozart in January.”

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eduardo January 27, 2015 at 2:24 pm

villarreal have confirmed the signing of Joel Campbell on loan for rest of the season, Arsenal.com yet to confirm his departure or the signing of Gabriel.

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eduardo January 27, 2015 at 2:27 pm

Arsenal U19’s are away to Atletico Madrid this evening in the Youth Champions League

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dkgÖÖnér January 27, 2015 at 3:58 pm

More on Gabriel. According to the Indendent, “he’s the kind of player who will run into the post if that is what the coach demands.”
Oh dear – not very bright then?

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dkgÖÖnér January 27, 2015 at 3:59 pm

Independent

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dkgÖÖnér January 27, 2015 at 4:53 pm

Reports that Stoke have lost Bojan for the rest of the season.
That’ll teach them to buy a footballer.

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