It’s Czech mate for Arsenal

It has been said many times before but it is astonishing what a difference a few weeks can make in football.

Having been pummelled at the San Siro in the Champions League and then dumped out of the FA Cup by Sunderland, Arsenal’s season was essentially over in February.

Another year with no silverware was guaranteed as Arsene Wenger’s side faced a real uphill task to claim fourth spot in the Premier League and even be a part of next season’s elite European competition.

They lacked creativity, a backbone, and most worryingly of all, passion.

It got to the stage where the Gunners were 2-0 down at home to their arch-nemesis before the Emirates Stadium outfit pulled up their socks and worked them back off again.

Bacary Sagna’s header in the Spurs clash showed just how much he wanted Arsenal to pick up their form, before Robin Van Persie’s genius leveller got the momentum train running.

Since then, Arsenal have been brilliant and came so close to pulling off one of the biggest comebacks of all time in the second leg against AC Milan. This after a scintillating 5-2 romp over Spurs and a massively important away win at Liverpool on Saturday.

One of the players at the heart of this resurgence is forgotten man Tomas Rosicky.

The Czech international is in the form of his life after enduring an injury-plagued Arsenal spell since his move to North London back in 2006.

He seems to be exactly what the Gunners have been missing and seems to have his mojo back after some very impressive recent performances.

The number seven has found himself back in his favoured position in the centre of midfield and appears to be pulling the strings in a similar manner to that of former playmakers that Arsenal have been lacking in recent weeks.

Rosicky has epitomised the Gunners’ recent roll providing trickery, accurate passing, a staggering work rate, assists, goals and a burning passion and desire to get the club back to where they belong.

Whilst Theo Walcott, Alex Chamberlain and of course Robin Van Persie have all been recent recipients of media plaudits, Rosicky is now right up there with them and has seemingly upped his squad status from dead wood to key player.

His trademark turn and pass before bouncing into the penalty area is back and the player seems keen to make up for lost time on his career ahead of Euro 2012.

Rosicky could also be playing for a new contract after recent discussions were on-going and seems hell bent on proving a point and reminding everyone of the talent that he is.

Only time will tell if that is that is to be the case but for now the Tomas Rosicky of old could well be firing the Gunners into Europe next season.

Matt Cotton @FindingCotton

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