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'I’ll never forget the Sunderland goal'

13/14: Arsenal 4-1 Sunderland - Tomas Rosicky
Tomas Rosicky scores against Sunderland

Tomas Rosicky says he will always remember his “typical Arsenal goal” against Sunderland last season.

The Czech Republic midfielder exchanged one-touch passes with Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud before lifting the ball over Vito Mannone to help the Gunners secure an impressive 4-1 win.

Sunderland return to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, and Rosicky took the opportunity to re-live his memorable strike.

"It was a beautiful goal and I think I will always remember it because it was a great team goal"

Tomas Rosicky

“How can I forget about that one?” he said. “It was a beautiful goal and I think I will always remember it because it was a great team goal. Many players contributed in that move and I would like to call it a typical Arsenal goal because it was the football we want to play.

“Alexis scored both goals [this season] and he forced both mistakes,” Rosicky added. “That’s what he is doing very well - when he loses the ball, he immediately starts to chase it again. In football, it is all about who will make the mistakes and he is very good at forcing them.”

Arsenal only need two points to secure automatic Champions League qualification and Rosicky has revealed how important it is to avoid the European play-offs.

“It is two massive games when everybody expects you to be there but those games are always very close,” he said. “Look at us earlier this season in Istanbul - 1-0 in the second leg. The games are so close and the teams you are playing against fight for their lives.

“It is an unbelievable chance for them. So it is important that you can go to your holiday with a clean head, not thinking about that and know you are there. That is the motivation for finishing in third place - it is better than fourth, that is for sure.”

Tomas Rosicky - one of the loudest in the dressing room

Tomas Rosicky - one of the loudest in the dressing room

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