Rosicky ready for the rough stuff

TOMAS ROSICKY is ready to show he can mix it with the tough-tackling midfielders of the Barclays Premiership as well as crack in the odd wonder goal.

The Czech international opened his Arsenal account in some style on Wednesday night, with a fine 25-yard effort in the 2-1 Champions League victory over Hamburg at the AOL Arena.

Rosicky joined the Gunners from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, and went on to catch the eye at the World Cup with a couple of equally-impressive strikes against the United States.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has chosen to blood the combative, goalscoring midfielder progressively this season, using him twice in the Premiership and also in the Champions League qualifier first leg against Croatia Zagreb.

Rosicky, though, hopes he will soon be in the thick of the action, with the Gunners heading to leaders Manchester United for what has all the makings of another explosive encounter on Sunday.

He said: “The Premier League is very quick, much tougher than in Germany. England is certainly more physical. But I knew it would be very physical and I was prepared for that.

“I am not scared if someone wants to kick me, because I played in Germany and I am used to that.”

Rosicky, 25, recalled: “I had a very hard time in Germany at the start of my career because teams would play with a man marker on me and it was difficult, so it was good preparation for England.”

The midfielder is well aware of the history between the two rival clubs, who spent the best part of six seasons battling it out for the title before the emergence of Chelsea as the new powerbrokers in English football.

Rosicky said: “I remember the game at Old Trafford with what happened with Ruud van Nistelrooy (in October 2004).

“I am looking forward to it.

“I know it will be tough and physical at Old Trafford, but I said when I joined Arsenal that you will never see me jump when the tackles come in. I am not as strong as some — but I am not scared either so I will never jump out of the way of tackles.”

Arsenal lost on their previous visit to Manchester this season, going down 1-0 at City on August 26. Wenger’s men have yet to record a Premiership victory, and find themselves near the foot of the table following their worst start to a top-flight campaign since the French coach took charge.

There is belief, though, the win in Hamburg could just kick-start Arsenal’s domestic campaign.

Rosicky said: “I hope this win will make us more confident and then we can win at Manchester.”

Thierry Henry remains a doubt after missing the trip to Hamburg because of a foot problem.

But defender Kolo Toure is expected to play despite hobbling off inside 30 minutes on Wednesday with a hip injury.

Robin van Persie is doubtful because of his hip problem.