By TONY LITTLE
Published: Today
TOMAS ROSICKY makes his Arsenal comeback today after 18 months out of action.
And team-mate Cesc Fabregas reckons it will be just like having a new signing.
The Czech Republic midfielder will put his injury nightmares behind him when he runs out for the Gunners' first pre-season game at Barnet.
Rosicky, 28, has been restricted to just 61 games in three years after being sidelined by a hamstring injury which then affected his knee tendons.
The problems failed to disappear after surgery and there were fears over his long-term future.
But Rosicky finally managed to regain full fitness at the end of last season and now hopes to get his career back on track.
Arsenal skipper Fabregas has no doubts Rosicky still has a major part to play for the club.
He said: "I have spent a lot of time with him and know how he feels.
"I have never seen a guy so committed, so professional and never giving up.
"He's the type of player you enjoy playing alongside and is amazing.
"Tomas didn't deserve his injury but I am sure he will come back stronger. I wish him all the best. Everyone at Arsenal loves him a lot.
"He's my best friend in the team and one of my best friends in life.
"He can bring many, many things to the side. He's a guy with a lot of experience, has won things, knows how to compete, is very humble and works for the team.
"Technically he is one of the best in the world and physically I am sure he will be really strong. He has been working really hard and I cannot wait to see him playing again."
Meanwhile, Arsenal's England winger Theo Walcott reckons the Gunners must learn to win ugly if they are to challenge for the Premier League title.
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They have gone four successive seasons without silverware and now Walcott feels they should emulate champions Manchester United and Chelsea by sometimes forsaking dazzling football in favour of rolling up their sleeves.
He said: "I think we need to do the dirty things right. Sometimes it's not just about pretty football. We need to grind out the results sometimes and get the three points.
"In cup competitions no one remembers the game as long as the result is right. We need to take that into our play.
"Manchester United and Chelsea do the dirty work and take their chances as well. That's another thing we need to learn and improve on.
"We had a great experience of getting to the Champions League and FA Cup semi-finals last season but not quite getting to the finals. Hopefully, we'll put that right."
Boss Arsene Wenger is ready to start deploying Walcott up front rather than out wide.
Walcott, 20, added: "The boss said, hopefully, he will start to put me up front now and then. That's my natural position but I'd play anywhere for this team.
"I want to score 15-plus goals this season."