Premier League - Eduardo injured on return

Eurosport - Thu, 18 Dec 16:36:00 2008

Croatia forward Eduardo successfully returned from injury to start for Arsenal's reserves in a 2-0 win over Portsmouth, but suffered a hamstring strain.

FOOTBALL Arsenal's Eduardo (left) in action with Portsmouth's Richard Duffy during the Premier Reserve League South match - 0

Eduardo has been out for almost 10 months after suffering a horrific ankle and leg break in Arsenal's 2-2 Premier League draw with Birmingham City last season.

"I'm just so happy to be back playing after 10 months out," the player told Arsenal TV after the match. "I hope to be back playing at the same level or even better, but now it's just good to forget about all the bad things in my life."

The Brazilian-born striker lasted only 45 minutes before coming off with a hamstring injury that will sideline him for a further two weeks.

"I think everything will be okay with my hamstring and I should be playing before the New Year," he continued.

"I really enjoy playing for Arsenal and the national team of Croatia. There is a Croatia game in February and I should be able to play in that."

The former Croatia Zagreb man looked comfortable with the pace of the game as he got some early touches and ran freely.

He went down in the Portsmouth area on three minutes but was waved up by the referee.

Initially he did not look entirely sharp, as shown when he failed to control a Fran Merida pass which played him through on goal.

Later in the first half, the 25-year-old found himself with a half-chance after Jack Wilshere and Jay Simpson combined; however he was forced wide by Pompey's defence and was unable to get a shot in.

As the game progressed Eduardo improved and almost broke the deadlock on 41 minutes.

With a superb touch on the edge of the box, he cut left and sent in a sweet, curling effort that Asmir Begovic acrobatically tipped behind for a corner.

He was withdrawn at half-time for midfielder Amaury Bischoff, a summer signing who has also struggled with injury.

Eduardo's career-threatening injury, suffered after a tackle by Blues centre-back Martin Taylor, was successfully operated on and he was reported to be walking without crutches in the summer, although it has taken him until December to be considered fit enough for contact training.

His return will be a welcome boost for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who is without England forward Theo Walcott until spring because of a shoulder injury.

Reda Maher / Eurosport

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  1. My friends describe me a funny girl with good looking.­ Im looking 4 someone speical. Any guys would like to­ show me your love and chemistry? E mail me at­ """ Ki ssMilliona ireS C om ­ """"

    From sexymeree3, on Wed 17 Dec 9:15AM

  2. dudu your the man. We've missed you mate. can't­ wait to see you back in the EPL.

    From Alan Gunner G, on Wed 17 Dec 9:14AM

  3. great news i thought he would make his return during­ their premier league match against portsmouth, it is­ great relief he will there for the liverpool game

    From chicken salad, on Wed 17 Dec 9:04AM

  4. It's nice seeing Eduardo back on the pitch,­ it's a player to behold when comes to English­ premiership soccer. I'm a true chelsea fan but i­ love his style of playing.

    From bosun, on Wed 17 Dec 8:57AM

  5. Eduardo...good to see you back on the pitch again.­ Arsenal saviour is back!

    From Ann T, on Wed 17 Dec 8:54AM

  6. from a spurs fan, glad he has made a full recovery, no­ one deserves to have there career cut short through­ injury, after all its only a game and without talented­ players it would not be as watchable

    From melliott650, on Wed 17 Dec 8:46AM

  7. I am so happy to see Eduardo back, Arsenal, Croatia and­ indeed all lovers of the game should be so so happy­ about this. Godbless

    From viovoplaysystems, on Wed 17 Dec 8:32AM

  8. My Eddy is back nd fit pls all English club defenders­ beware of dengerous Eduardo cos is going to kill a lot­ of Keepers and defenders with is return.Welcome back­ son.Vincent Olajide

    From Donvinci, on Wed 17 Dec 8:26AM

  9. Sure missed Ed in the attack but great to see him back­ on the pitch. Now the title race is really on.­ Welldone

    From victor a, on Wed 17 Dec 8:25AM

  10. Eduardo Silva he's Arsenals number 9

    From maguirejj1, on Wed 17 Dec 8:06AM

  11. Good to hear that he's playing again.As a Liverpool­ fan I wish him well,same as post 40.I don't think­ players should be referred to as hero's,personally­ but they can do brave things and Eduardo certainly has­ been brave here,to come back after such a horrific­ injury.Good luck to you,mate.

    From jhr881, on Wed 17 Dec 8:06AM

  12. Welcome Eduardo the Prince.

    From segun a, on Wed 17 Dec 7:49AM

  13. we still need to defend, good to see "the­ ed" back, no doubt. but this year our issue is­ defending. which for some reason we cant do. !!

    From mr.dbradshaw, on Wed 17 Dec 7:47AM

  14. good to have you back Eduardo.we miss you,we love you­ and cant wait to see back as we useknow­ you................Arsenal 4ever!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From ezuo j, on Wed 17 Dec 7:44AM

  15. Welcome Eduardo the Prince.

    From segun a, on Wed 17 Dec 7:37AM

  16. Eduardo Will Save the "Gunners"

    From Nathan, on Wed 17 Dec 7:23AM

  17. Now for the other leg

    From Mike S, on Wed 17 Dec 7:20AM

  18. gud 2 see u again in 1st eleven..
    hope u will give more­ goal to arsenal..
    arsenal!! arsenal!! arsenal!!

    From Muhammad, on Wed 17 Dec 6:53AM

  19. Eddy gud u ur back. You are simply gre8t.

    From donald, on Wed 17 Dec 6:12AM

  20. good to see him back in training n getting sum mins­ under his belt, a star is reborn again

    From gary, on Wed 17 Dec 6:01AM
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