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Camden Sports - STEVE BARNETT
Published: 18 December 2008

Eduardo’s back with a win

Croatia striker starts his first game in 10 months since his ‘horror’ injury

ARSENAL fans were given a timely boost on Tuesday when Eduardo made his long-awaited return to competitive action in a reserve game against Portsmouth.
There had been fears for Eduardo’s career in February when a horrific tackle by Birmingham’s Martin Taylor left the striker with a fractured left fibula and an open dislocation of his left ankle.
But having played just 45 minutes at Barnet’s Underhill ground, the Croatia striker has already set his sights on a return to the first team, and has warned rival defences that he is hoping to be even better than before.
“I am feeling very happy to have started my first game in 10 months,” Eduardo said afterwards.
“I hope I can do more, and that next time will be better.
“I felt something in my hamstring but, in two weeks, I will be all right.
“I need more training and games, and if everything is OK, then hopefully in two weeks I will be ready to play.
“I just want to play like I did before, but maybe I can be better,” he added.
Eduardo, who has been undergoing an intensive rehabilitation programme, revealed that spending time back in his native Brazil helped speed up his recovery.
“The injury was very hard for me, but I have had to forget everything bad in my life and went to do some treatment in Brazil where I saw my family and friends, which helped make me strong.”
The instinctive striker showed glimpses of his quality as he completed the first-half against Portsmouth on Tuesday, and was only a post’s width away from marking his return with a goal.
In the end the young guns of Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners thanks to a neat finish from Mark Randall and a wonderful strike from Kieran Gibbs.

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