When Oh When Will Tomas Rosicky Return for Arsenal?

Take a minute and imagine if Arsenal and Czech Republic winger Tomas Rosicky had not sustained an injury late last season. Would Arsenal have done better than third? I certainly think so.

Since the Czech Republic man limped off against Newcastle in the FA Cup on Jan. 26 last year, Rosicky has not played an ounce of football.

It was believed at first that the midfielder had suffered a hamstring injury which would take one to two months to recover from, but when it was found that the tendons in his hamstring had come loose and he needed an operation, Gunners fans and Arsene Wenger began to worry.

Rosicky was then forced to sit out the Czech Republic's Euro 2008 campaign, and it was evident that the Arsenal man was sorely missed in attack. Then Rosicky failed to appear before Christmas.

Rosicky's comeback got delayed and delayed, month after month, and it is still unclear when he will return to the Arsenal squad, though it is believed he could be back in under a month.

He is scheduled to appear for the Arsenal reserves at some point.

Rosicky's incredible speed off the mark, plus the way he makes the game run at his pace, is phenomenal. His quick feet, lethal crosses, and balance make him a huge nuisance to defences. Rosicky is also more than handy from set pieces.

Although the Arsenal wing is not short of talent, with the likes of Samir Nasri, the magnificent Andrei Arshavin, and speedster Theo Walcott, Rosicky is no doubt a keeper, despite his age of 27, the equivalent of 34 in the Arsenal squad.

Hopefully the 27-year-old will return before the end of the 2008-09 campaign, so he can help secure a fourth, if not third, place finish.

Plus, if Arsenal do happen to make the Champions League final, Rosicky would be more than handy to bring off the bench. 

When Rosicky does finally return to the fray, whether it's the back end of 2008-09 or the start of 2009-10, he is sure to cause havoc with the ball at his feet.