Source: Team_Talk
Rosicky sorry for penalty blunder
Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has rued his missed penalty during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Sunderland. [LNB] The Gunners went ahead through a fluke Cesc Fabregas goal early on, but were put under pressure when Alex Song was dismissed in the 55th minute. [LNB]Czech Republic international Rosicky then blundered a chance to put the Gunners 2-0 up at the Stadium of Light when he blazed his spot-kick attempt over the crossbar. [LNB]The Black Cats went on to snatch a last-gasp equaliser, causing Arsene Wenger's men to slip four points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea in the standings, and Rosicky admits his penalty gaffe was costly. [LNB]When asked whether he and his team-mates discussed the miss in the dressing room after the match, Rosicky told his personal website: "Of course we did. [LNB]"We were very disappointed because we could have won. But we made errors for which we paid the full price. I made the biggest one."[LNB]Rosicky, who replaced injured midfielder Fabregas in the 29th minute of the clash, assuming the captain's armband, likened his botched spot-kick to his effort for the Czech Republic in a World Cup qualifying match against Holland five years ago. [LNB]"Unfortunately, it was nothing new," he said. "I missed a penalty in a World Cup qualifier against Holland in autumn 2005."[LNB]The midfielder is not a regular penalty taker for the Gunners, and revealed he stepped up on Saturday because other players were reluctant to. [LNB]"Fabregas and (Andrey) Arshavin were not on the pitch at that time," he said. [LNB]"Ahead of the kick I communicated with (Samir) Nasri and (Marouane) Chamakh but nobody wanted to take responsibility, so I did." [LNB]While admitting the penalty was a crucial moment, Rosicky insists his side should have still managed to take the full three points home.[LNB]"In the first half we didn't even have many opportunities," he said.[LNB]"Sunderland showed they could frustrate favourites and apart from our partly fortunate goal they did not let us have anything dangerous in front of their goal.[LNB]"But after the break we were passing the ball around better and after Song's sending off were the better side.[LNB]"Then came the spot-kick, but even without it we should have managed to win. Naturally though, it was the key moment."
