STRIKER Eduardo marked his return from a horrific leg injury in style, scoring two goals to help Arsenal breeze past Cardiff in a 4-0 FA Cup victory early this morning (Singapore time).
The Croatian’s return came at a time where the Gunners are lying fifth in the table – currently out of contention for a Champions League berth – and goals all but drying up, with just one goal in their previous four games in all competitions.
Arsene Wenger’s team is also missing presence of playmaker Cesc Fabregas, while new recruit Andrei Arshavin has not tasted action at the Emirates since moving from Zenit St Petersburg in the January transfer window.
Could Eduardo be just the man to save Arsenal faltering season?
THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: Yes he can. The Brazilian-born Croatian was showing so much promise last season before he had his leg broken in a clash with Birmingham’s Martin Taylor a year ago.
Up to the Birmingham game in Febuary last season, Eduardo was joint second on Arsenal’s list of top scorers in all competitions, tying with Fabregas with 12 goals. Emmanuel Adebayor topped the list with 22 goals up to the point.
The 1.78m striker was also coming into form in December in January, notably scoring a brace to see off Blackburn in extra-time in the Carling Cup. Eduardo was more potent in the Champions League though, scoring three goals in six appearances.
With Adebayor not finding the net since Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Hull last month, the return of Eduardo will no doubt provide a spark for the Gunners, who are sorely missing the inspirational Fabregas, while Arshavin is still some way from achieving match fitness.
It is also anyone’s guess if the Russian can hit the ground running when he takes to the field, coming from a different league altogether, so Eduardo is Arsenal’s best bet of making a late push toward the Premiership summit.
(Photo: Reuters)
WELCOME TO THE POSTMAN'S NEIGHBOURHOOD 
For all the pretty football Arsenal play, they have been astonishingly incompetent in front of goal. With the return of half Croat/half Brazilian Eduardo, the situation should change.
Adebayor? Is he the new Andy Cole or what? He still needs around 10 chances to score a goal!
Van Persie? Although he has bagged some goals this season, he always seems to over-elaborate situations and ends up scoring difficult goals but fluffs easy chances. Weird guy! New Bergkamp? More like new Berger!
Bendtner? Prefer to look for arguements or fights with teammates rather than goals. He has just come out and said he demands a starting place in every single game but it is really difficult to justify that. Does the Dane think Wenger is stupid? He should be thankful if his boss lets him warm the bench!
Vela? The future of Arsenal is raw but he has the perfect guy to guide him in Wenger. Could be the next best thing to come out of Mexico since the Mexican Wave!
Walcott? More effective on the right flank, and thus that could be his long-term position instead.
Arshavin? Praying for snow to fall in London would be his priority. The Russian, used to seeing the whites in his homeland, needs to work on his fitness and strength first to survive in the EPL. More of a creator than scorer, he is more like Overmars than Henry.
So that leaves only Eduardo to count upon. He always has a pretty impressive scoring record for both club and country and he seems to have continued his good form this morning against Cardiff.
He has great technique and when he is on form, he is almost unstoppable. He has missed almost a year of football and as we approach the business end of the season, this guy will be fresh to take on anyone while most players could already be fatigued.
Man United & Liverpool are nailed-on favorites while Chelsea should also qualify for next year’s UCL. Although I would love to see Aston Villa get into the Top Four, I am afraid Arsenal could sneak through. The Gunners’ defense are coming good, Fabregas and Walcott are nearing their returns to the midfield and their attack has has been boosted tremendously by the return of Eduardo and addition of the exciting Arshavin. Sadly for Villa, injuries are mounting for their already-thin squad and a place in next year’s UEFA Cup should be their prize.
Although I think Eduardo will be crucial to Arsenal’s season, I think there is only so much one person can do. I reckon they would be knocked out either in upcoming last 16 stage of the UCL or the last 8. So their best chance of glory this season lies in the FA Cup. Something in my head tells me the Gunners will be the FA Cup winner this year. Maybe it is the return of Eduardo whose hunger will spread to the entire team.
Comment by Loh Shengli, 24, Man United — February 17, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
Eduardo possesses 1 quality that no other Arsenal’s strikers have. That is his finishing is very clinical and goes about scoring goals with minimum fuss. This is what Arsenal and Wenger need to savage the season. Arsenal form has dipped considerably and they are not creating that many chances as before. Unlike Adebayor who tend to miss easy chances and Van Persie who seemingly can’t trust his right foot when there is a half chance, Eduardo simply put the ball in the net.
Looking at his movements against Cardiff, he seems to be the perfect foil for his strike partner. With Fabegras coming back soon and Arshavin getting match fit, Eduardo would greatly benefit from the ammunition they provide. Furthermore, with Walcott coming back in soon, defences would be stretched once again trying to deal with his direct running. Eduardo will be the main beneficiary of the extra space.
The key thing for Eduardo is how he would deal with a tough over the top challenge. Would he be afraid of breaking his ankle again and thus pulls out of the tackle? If he can overcome this mental barrier, then Eduardo would be the main man for Arsenal to propel upwards the table.
Comment by Chian Kong — February 17, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
I feel no matter how good a player is, take for example Kaka or Ronaldo, he can’t salvage the whole team and instantly bring you trophies.
To win a game maybe yes. There are natural match winners like Gerrard and Kaka but they also have their day off.
To depend on a single player to hold the team is a step from hell, as injuries can plague their man.
For Arsenal’s case, I feel not only Eduardo needs to pull up his socks, but the whole team. And also, Arsenal’s fate to go up or not doesn’t relies only in their hands but the current top 4 as well as a win or lose can change the table in a matter of games.
Like Rafa said, every game is important. Every game is a cup final. I feel that should be the attitude of players, giving their 100% and more for every game whether it’s against Hull City or Manchester United. Commitment and the desire to win is the key to success for me.
Comment by Haley Harrison — February 17, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
The return of Eduardo not only will not solve Arsenal’s problem, but add to the misery that Arsene Wenger has to deal.
The return of the Croatian is bound to create more unrest among strikers in the team. Van Persie is talented but highly combative. Adebayor is strung, while Bednter is ambitious and expects to be involved in the team on a regular basis.
Wenger has already had problems rotating 3 strikers, let along 4, given the return of Eduardo.
In addition, the main problem for Arsenal is in the middle of the park, where the absence of Fabregas deviod Arsenal of creativity from the middle of the park. Fabregas is like what Ronaldo is to Man Utd, or what Gerard is to Liverpool.
Oh, and Wenger can’t play Toure and Gallas together…
Adrian Lim, 29, Civil Servant
Norwich City Fan
Comment by Adrian Lim — February 18, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
It is surely a welcoming sight to see Eduardo playing and scoring again. He will surely made up for and replace the indifferent play of Adebayor in the front line. The latter looked jaded recently. Eduardo is more mobile and suits v Persie’s pattern of play. However, without a strong midfield, both strikers could be starved of ammunition supply. The creative spark, the definitive play in the centre of midfield is missing. Arsenal needs a man who can turn on the screw with a single moment of genius and they cannot wait for Cesc Fabregas. The other midfield players must take up the mantle. At this moment, Wenger is still waiting and praying.
Yes Eduardo will perk up the team for the moment. However, the Premier league teams are different from teams like Cardiff!
Mr Elvin Woo P F
55 Civil Servant
Comment by Mr Elvin Woo P F — February 18, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
I am sorry that the return of Eduardo is not going to help Arsenal challenge for more honors this season. I say so because he was never a proven player in the first place. Having just spent half a season and as substitutes for Van Persie and Adebayor last year before breaking his leg, he still has someway to go before he proves himself. Coming back into the rigours and pace of the premier league might be very demanding for a player who has just suffered a horrific injury and has not fully acclimatized to English football yet. All along, Arsenal has been crying out for a holding midfielder, so the return of Eduardo hardly will help stabilize their flailing midfield and shaky defence. With the purchase of Arshavin, and Van Persie hitting fabulous form, the creative department and attacking department is well taken care of. ALso what is left of Arsenal’s season might just be the Champions League and FA cup. Getting into that 4th place might prove beyond them as Aston Villa and Chelsea will have the tenacity to last the distance. With so many strong teams in the Champions League playing fantasy football at the moment, Arsenal’s chances do not look at at the moment. Perhaps they should just focus on the FA cup for a realistic prospect of Silverware.
Comment by Yam Hing — February 20, 2009 @ 2:25 am
Realistically, Arsenal can win only two trophies. It will be sweet if Arsenal wins both FA Cup and Champions League to make it a unique treble. (Sweeter if Chelsea does so).
Eduardo will help Arsenal’s attack tremendously. He can come on as an impact substitute. Soon to meet AS Roma in Italy, Eduardo may come on and score just one goal which is enough if Arsenal lost 2-1.
Even ‘fat’ Ronaldo refuse to retire. I’m sorry Ronaldo for making fun of your career. It’s nice knowing people who seem down and out and yet they continue to march on. Like..who’s this guy..*taps chin*.
Qyaerus-Syahrein, 27, Sengkang Punggol fan
Comment by Alex Hart — March 6, 2009 @ 10:22 pm