Tottenham Hotspur must be sick and tired of the number 7… or more specifically the occupant of the shirt at the moment – Tomas Rosicky – and the previous owner Robert Pires. These two players have been a thorn in the side for the North London rivals for quite some time.
Robert Pires scored eight goals in twelve games against Spurs. According to the Arsenal official site, Pires’ first derby is the only game at White Hart Lane that he did not score. Now that is a quite a record especially considering the fact that he scored a goal against Spurs on the way to winning the title in 2004.
Just when Tottenham thought they could rest easy after Pires left the club, up popped Tomas Rosicky wearing the same number seven shirt and immediately developing the same knack that Pires had of scoring against Spurs. He has so far scored three goals against Spurs, if I remember correctly, including a crucial goal in 2012 that gave Arsenal the lead for the first time after trailing by two goals. Arsenal ended up winning that game 5-2.
Of course Tomas Rosicky’s most recent goal against Spurs will go down in history as the fastest goal that Arsenal has ever scored in a North London Derby. It was scored after 72 seconds and what a beauty it was; a trademark screamer from Rosicky that sticks out not just because of the brilliance and technique but by the sheer audacity. It was truly an unbelievable goal and one that Wenger said will go down in his collection of great goals.
If Rosicky had remained injury free earlier on in his Arsenal career, I dare say that he would have scored more goals against Spurs. As it stands, he is fully fit and raring to go and unfortunately for Spurs, a certain Pires has been spotted in training. He won’t get to play but he might just be that lucky charm that spurs (pardon the pun) Rosicky and Arsenal to a win.
Facebook Comments
COMMENTS