Tuesday, August 15, 2006

ROSICKY ITCHING TO START CAMPAIGN

Rosicky - enjoying life in London


Tomas Rosicky believes he was born to play for Arsenal and cannot wait to start the new Premiership season.

Rosicky, 25, signed for the Gunners for £6.8million from Borussia Dortmund early in the summer.

The Czech Republic playmaker revealed how he had been close to joining Arsene Wenger's team in the past and did not hesitate when the chance came by again.

Rosicky said: "I've always really wanted to play for Arsenal simply because of the different way they play their football compared to other teams.

"I've wanted to come here for a while. There had been contact before from Arsenal without a concrete offer but this time there was.

"The opportunity to come here felt like one of the best moves I could possibly make.

"I enjoy the way Arsenal play football and it feels nice. I feel like I fit in quite well.

"I expect the atmosphere to be better here than it was in Germany where the biggest fans, who sing, all sit in one area."

Rosicky, known as 'Little Mozart' in his native Czech Republic, made his debut for the London club in last week's Champions League qualifier first-leg away to Dinamo Zagreb.

Arsenal won 3-0 and look almost certain to make it into the group stages of Europe's top club competition.

Rosicky said: "The Champions League was one of the main things I enjoyed about playing at Dortmund. I'm looking forward to playing in it again this year.

"We are a strong team and the only way to do better than last season is to win it. So we will see about that.

"Arsene Wenger told me lots of things about his plans when we talked but the over-riding concept is to win as much as possible."

Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona in the Champions League final in May, but Wenger's young team came of age as they beat Real Madrid and Juventus in the knock-out rounds.

Rosicky said: "The team is very strong and I feel we will be able to do very well in whatever competition we play in, including the Champions League."

Rosicky is in the Czech squad who face Serbia tomorrow, looking to overcome the disappointment of their early exit at the World Cup.

He is Wenger's only summer signing, while the Gunners have lost Sol Campbell, Robert Pires and Dennis Bergkamp.

Ashley Cole is expected to leave for Chelsea but Rosicky is not concerned about expectations on him to fill their boots.

Rosicky said: "I don't feel this puts any extra pressure on me.

"My main goal is to integrate fully into the team before I start thinking about the manager's position, like which players are coming or going.

"Chelsea have a very good team but so do Manchester United and Liverpool. It's hard to say what's going to happen.

"It is something I'm really looking forward to engaging in this season."

Arsenal start their Premiership campaign at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.

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