Resurgent Rosicky still improving

Arsenal host Standard Liege in the Champions League on Tuesday night, when they will be looking to secure a place in the knockout stages with a fourth win from five Group H games. It was in Belgium for the opening match of their European campaign proper where Czech winger Rosicky made a welcome first start since January 2008 after finally recovering from a string of injuries. Rosicky, an £8million signing from Borussia Dortmund in May 2006, had endured a frustrating 18 months on the sidelines, his progress hampered by complications to an initial hamstring problem and then suffering another slight strain after he returned to action during pre-season. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes having Rosicky available again is like a new signing - and the 29-year-old is confident he can bring a new dimension to the Gunners midfield. "Fitness wise I have definitely improved in recent weeks. I do not feel exhausted after the games or anything like that," the Czech international said. "In the matches I have started, I have not felt tired out even if the boss has decided to take me off, so I clearly have a good base of fitness to work with. "I know there are some aspects I need to improve on, and they will get better as I play more and more so I am not worried about that. "For example, a bit of explosiveness is something that I am still missing a little, but I know it will improve as I play more and will arrive naturally." Rosicky added in the November edition of the official Arsenal magazine: "I am just very happy I am useful to the boss and that he has the option of selecting me again. "The 4-3-3- works for us all. "I can play in every formation, but of course even if I play on the wing, the boss knows I will not always be holding on to the touchline, I will move inside. "The type of football we are producing sees the players rotating and interchanging all the time and it is difficult for the opposition to mark us as a result. "It is working very well and now we need to keep it going." Rosicky is glad to be enjoying football again following spells when, only naturally, he questioned his long-term future. "Of course there was doubt," he recalled. "When I was ready to train again, and before that when I was just working with our fitness coach, I always asked myself questions - would I be able to do this thing and that thing as I could do before? "But I quickly recognised that I could do everything and had no limitations at all - so everything was all right, but of course I had to take it all step by step. "I always knew since I started to train with the ball and with the team that technically I would not have a problem. The only question mark was if I could cope with everything physically - and as we can see, I can, so there is no reason not to be as I was before. "I am a very good way towards getting there." Rosicky is a popular member of the Arsenal squad, and captain Cesc Fabregas feels the Czech international can have a positive impact. "Tomas is a player who can help us a lot and I am very happy because no-one knows how much he has suffered," said the Spain midfielder. "He is a very strong guy and I am very glad he is back in the team." Champions League 2009/10 Win Outright: Arsenal 8/1