Rosicky praises tighter Arsenal defence

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky is proud of the Gunners’ improved defensive performances.

Rosicky said the improvements and results are down to a collective effort rather than individual players.

The north London club have tightened up at the back in recent weeks, leading to clean sheets in their last two games against West Brom and Marseille, as summer signings such as Per Mertesacker, Andre Santos and Mikel Arteta begin to settle in at the Emirates.

“I wouldn’t pick out one particular part, it’s the whole team that has defended better and hopefully we can continue to do that,” Rosicky told the Arsenal website.

“Sometimes when new faces come in you need time to gel and I think the last month was much better from us.”

“We were good in defence and much more compact, and I think we will show that in the coming months as well.”

A terrible start to the season saw the Gunners languishing near the bottom three but their form has picked up, and they are on a run of just one defeat in 11 games in all competitions.

Their poor early season form saw them thrashed 8-2 by Manchester United as well as being the only team to lose to Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League this season.

However, a win at promoted Norwich City on Saturday could see them go level with Chelsea in fourth if results go their way.

“We are looking forward to the next month because we are back on track again,” Rosicky said.