Monday, 8 August 2011

Tomas Rosicky 2010/2011

Season Stats

19 starts + 15 sub apps
1 goal
5 assists
11 key passes

Premier League Stats

1 assist
-10th highest at Arsenal (Arshavin/Fabregas 11)

1.3 chances created per game
-7th highest at Arsenal (Fabregas 2.9)

0.5 accurate throughballs per game
-2nd highest at Arsenal (Fabregas 1.5)

0.7 times disposesssed per game
-11th highest at Arsenal (Fabregas/Nasri 2.4)

0.8 successful dribbles per game
-8th highest at Arsenal (Diaby 2.3)

63% aerial duel success rate
-3rd highest at Arsenal (Vermaelen 73%)

High point

Filled in expertly for Cesc Fabregas in the 6-0 demolition of newly-promoted Blackpool, with a master display of creativity. In a display that was reflective of his early season performances, Rosicky tore the Seasiders apart with his throughballs, providing key passes for 2 goals and a penalty which Arshavin converted.

Low point

Put in a shambolic defensive performance when subbed on during Arsenal's embarassing 4-4 draw at Newcastle. After Diaby's 2nd half dismissal, Rosicky was brought on to shore up the midfield but instead played Leon Best onside for a (disallowed) goal, gave away a penalty and conceded the freekick that led to Newcastle's equaliser.

Comments (12)

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Ali's avatar

Ali · 712 weeks ago

First of all, great blog and posts mate, new fan here :)

Secondly, Rosicky isn't bad at all. Of course the highlight reel gives the perception that he always play like this, but Rosicky has some brilliant moves and visions and I've always been a big fan.

The only downside to Rosicky (imo, of course) is that he must have a few stars on the field to actually produce the brilliance he is capable of. If he is put on without Cesc/RVP/Nasri or even without Arsh/Theo, and instead has to play with our number twos, I feel like he (or the team rather) gets stuck.

Please keep up the great work, I'll be checking regularly!
1 reply · active 711 weeks ago
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BackwardsGooner 61p · 711 weeks ago

Thanks, glad you're a fan!

I think your 3rd paragraph could apply to any player really, especially one in Rosicky's role. A playmaker can only function with good movement around him, and our play is a lot less fluid when the B team are on the field. Though I do think Rosicky's best used against weaker teams where his quick-thinking can be very effective in exploiting the relatively greater time and space afforded to him. He's not particularly effective when midfield space is at a premium vs tougher opponents, and I'm not sure he has the stamina to play at his highest intensity for 90 mins.

Thanks for the kind words.
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Ali's avatar

Ali · 712 weeks ago

Also, anyone notice how the prevalence of Alex Song in most of these plays? Great partnership, those two.
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Ali's avatar

Ali · 712 weeks ago

Sorry last post for now....Arsene should tell him to take rips outside the box more!
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Josef's avatar

Josef · 711 weeks ago

1. I like you site very much. The way that you use figures and video evidence rather than blather and unsubstantiated BS sets you apart from the pack, and I really appreciate the work you do.

2. Rosicky is the most underrated player at Arsenal. His vision and technique are sick.

3. The way that supposed "fans" have talked trash about him is embarrassing. Anyone who gainsays his excellence immediately loses all credibility in my book.

4. I'm actually not concerned about the potential loss of attacking midfielders, because with new winger/striking options looking pretty solid I would be delighted if Rosicky got the chance to run this team.

5. Anyone plays better with more space. I think Rosicky has the touch to deal with tight conditions, provided he has game time under his belt.

6. Similarly, I think that your concern about stamina to last 90 minutes is something that could be mitigated by more frequent play.
1 reply · active 711 weeks ago
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BackwardsGooner 61p · 711 weeks ago

Thanks! Sometimes I think I go overboard with the stats and videos so it's nice to hear that someone enjoys them at least.

Agree that anyone plays better with more space, but my point was that IMO he struggles to exert his influence without it (as opposed to someone like Cesc who did well regardless). My reasoning for that is that Rosicky loves to play quick, one-touch, in-between-the-lines passing - his style is most effective when that space exists to exploit in between the opposition midfield and defence (that's why he gets so many "pre-assists" rather than assists, he's a player who primarily advances the play rather than playing the final pass, although he has the ability to do the latter too). When that space is scarce, he ends up losing possession too often and/or not spreading the play enough.
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Darren · 711 weeks ago

Wouldn't Tomas Rosicky's low point be the PK miss v Sunderland?
If we are nit-picking.
1 reply · active 711 weeks ago
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BackwardsGooner 61p · 711 weeks ago

It's a matter of opinion really, the Sunderland one sprang to mind but I thought he was atrocious against Newcastle, so much so that people even believed the (false) rumours of his involvement in match-fixing the following day.
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Dennis · 711 weeks ago

Once again, great post, great collection of highlights from a player IMO is undervalued at Arsenal, both by fans and Wenger. __I would agree with Ali's comment about rosicky's dependence on offensive players. I would argue he is more dependent than, say arshavin, fabregas, or nasri on other creative players because unlike the aforementioned players, rosicky is less direct than those players. the aforementioned players give direct, high risk through passes much more often than rosicky, who in turn relies much more on quick, probing passes into dangerous spaces. In many ways, he reminds me of hleb, as he always assists the assist, if you get what I mean. Your video above does show this quite oftenly, at 2:55, rvp goal, or walcott's goal at maybe 15 seconds after, are good examples.
3 replies · active 710 weeks ago
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BackwardsGooner 61p · 711 weeks ago

Very good point, and I've echoed that in my reply to one of the comments above.
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Dennis's avatar

Dennis · 711 weeks ago

Oh right, yes you did, I completely missed it! To add, I think Rosicky lacks the physique to play in an advanced position (where Fabregas had played). Fabregas, if I remember correctly, couldn't play in an advanced position initially because he didn't have the strength play with his back to goal. Rosicky is a player who trives when facing towards goal, because of his quick forward passes (as you mentioned). That is why I think he is incompatible with Ramsey (see recent newcastle game) in the centre of the pitch, as both players like to drop deep and face the goal (although their style is different), meaning the team would lack forward drive from the center.
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BackwardsGooner 61p · 710 weeks ago

That's because the reply in question was posted after your initial comment ;)

Agree about that, I think vs Newcastle both CMs were reluctant to move into the AM zone (hence Arshavin had to move up there on occasions), I hope Ramsey can be moulded into such a player in future, and Wilshere already has such movement so his return should be welcome.

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