Tomas Rosicky feels he will soon be back to his "explosive" best for Arsenal.
The Gunners host Standard Liege in the Champions League on Tuesday night, when they will be looking to secure a place in the knockout stages with a fourth win from five Group H games.
It was in Belgium for the opening match of their European campaign proper where Czech winger Rosicky made a welcome first start since January 2008 after finally recovering from a string of injuries.
Rosicky, an £8million signing from Borussia Dortmund in May 2006, had endured a frustrating 18 months on the sidelines, his progress hampered by complications to an initial hamstring problem and then suffering another slight strain after he returned to action during pre-season.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes having Rosicky available again is like a new signing - and the 29-year-old is confident he can bring a new dimension to the Gunners midfield.
"Fitness wise I have definitely improved in recent weeks. I do not feel exhausted after the games or anything like that," the Czech international said.
"In the matches I have started, I have not felt tired out even if the boss has decided to take me off, so I clearly have a good base of fitness to work with.
"I know there are some aspects I need to improve on, and they will get better as I play more and more so I am not worried about that.
"For example, a bit of explosiveness is something that I am still missing a little, but I know it will improve as I play more and will arrive naturally."
Rosicky added in the November edition of the official Arsenal magazine: "I am just very happy I am useful to the boss and that he has the option of selecting me again.
"The 4-3-3- works for us all.
"I can play in every formation, but of course even if I play on the wing, the boss knows I will not always be holding on to the touchline, I will move inside.
"The type of football we are producing sees the players rotating and interchanging all the time and it is difficult for the opposition to mark us as a result.
"It is working very well and now we need to keep it going."
Rosicky is glad to be enjoying football again following spells when, only naturally, he questioned his long-term future.
"Of course there was doubt," he recalled.
"When I was ready to train again, and before that when I was just working with our fitness coach, I always asked myself questions - would I be able to do this thing and that thing as I could do before?
"But I quickly recognised that I could do everything and had no limitations at all - so everything was all right, but of course I had to take it all step by step.
"I always knew since I started to train with the ball and with the team that technically I would not have a problem. The only question mark was if I could cope with everything physically - and as we can see, I can, so there is no reason not to be as I was before.
"I am a very good way towards getting there."
Rosicky is a popular member of the Arsenal squad, and captain Cesc Fabregas feels the Czech international can have a positive impact.
"Tomas is a player who can help us a lot and I am very happy because no-one knows how much he has suffered," said the Spain midfielder.
"He is a very strong guy and I am very glad he is back in the team."
