Archive for July 25th, 2010

Eduardo: The fairytale that’s yet to end

12 comments July 25th, 2010

He was due to be the missing piece in the jigsaw. For years Arsenal’s attractive approach play had lacked a clinical finish. The signing of Eduardo had seemingly ended Arsenal’s search for a ‘Fox in the box’. How ironic then that Martin Taylor effectively ended Eduardo’s Arsenal career in a manner as emphatic and clinical as the Croatian’s goalscoring prowess.

That, I’m afraid, is the sad truth of it. Eduardo was never the same player after that tackle. He came back and showed flashes of brilliance, and for a time it seemed as if a miraculous recovery was on the cards. But niggling injuries stalled his progress. Not only that, but when through on goal, the moment’s hesitation that was previously so remarkably absent from his game proved costly. Scoring goals had always come naturally to Eduardo. Now, he thought about it. He delayed his finish, he anticipated the keeper’s lunge, he even ducked out of the odd tight spot.

None of this was insurmountable. A run of games might have given him back the confidence he needed. Once the first goal went in, others would surely follow. But Arsenal and Arsene were involved in a title-race. Bedding Eduardo back in was a luxury that we couldn’t afford.

Arsenal had taken Eduardo’s rehabilitation as far as we possibly could. This is a competitive football club, not a clinic. Arsenal did the right thing by Eduardo by sticking with him in his darkest hour – handing him a new contract, and offering him all the support we could until he could stand on his own two feet again. And run. And play the game he loves.

Now is the time for the Crozilian to take matters in to his own hands. He could have stayed in London, but the arrival of Marouane Chamakh has only pushed him further down the pecking order. Eduardo has been frank in his assessment of his own chances. He is 27 years old, and he needs game-time. He’s moving to a Champions League club, closer to his adopted Croatia, where he will be an undisputed star. The fairytale recovery we thought we might see is still possible. We’ll just be watching from a greater distance.

Goodbye Eduardo

There is other Arsenal news about, but not masses of it.

The Daily Mail have a couple of spurious transfer links: one saying we’re due to increase a bid for Phil Jagielka; another saying we’ve turned down the opportunity to sign David James.

A more exciting story, albeit one equally unlikely to come fruition, is Russian Number 1 Igor Akinfeev’s interest in joining Andrey Arshavin in North London:

“I have spoken with Arshavin about Arsenal and London life. He has only had good things to say about the club and the city. He said some very nice things about me going on to be the best goalkeeper in the world – and that he would like me to reach that goal at Arsenal with him. Juventus have also expressed an interest in me – but Arshavin has sold England to me very well.”

Good job, Andrey.  The dwarfy playmaker cites Akinfeev as the best player in the Russian side, and he’s clearly a talent worth getting excited about.  Unfortunately, he would cost big money, and I just can’t see Arsene splashing out on a goalkeeper.  There is no precedent.

And finally, Andres Iniesta seems to have got the message about Cesc Fabregas.  One can only hope he pulls his mate Xavi aside for a quiet word.

Tomorrow I’ll be bringing you a big overview on that state of play in the transfer market, and don’t forget next week there are still several more in the Ready Or Not series to come.  For now though, enjoy the rest of your weekend.


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