LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva sustained a serious leg injury in the Premier League match against Birmingham City on Saturday.

The match was stopped for nearly eight minutes as the Brazilian-born Croatia international was treated on the field before finally being carried off on a stretcher.

Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor was given a straight red card for his challenge on Eduardo in the third minute.

Arsenal's players wandered around the pitch looking distraught and Sky television said they would not replay the incident because the pictures were too horrific.

Eduardo was taken straight to hospital and medical staff at the ground were also reported to be shocked at the seriousness of the injury.

(reporting by Brian Homewood, Editing by Justin Palmer)