Eduardo

Eduardo profile

• Name

  Eduardo

• Born

  February 25, 1983

• Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

• Position

  Striker

• Squad Number

  9

• Previous Club(s)

  CBF Nova Kennedy

• Bangu Atletico Clube

• Inter Zapresic

• Dinamo Zagreb

• Joined Arsenal

  July 03, 2007

• Arsenal Debut

  Blackburn Rovers (a)

• Premier League

• August 19, 2007

• Drew 1-1

• First Arsenal Goal

  Sparta Prague (h)

• Champions League

• August 29, 2007

• Won 3-0

The sooner Eduardo returns to action, the sooner he can fulfil his potential as the Club's most clinical finisher since Ian Wright.

The Brazilian-born striker took Croatian nationality in 2002 and arrived at Emirates Stadium with a prolific record for his adopted country as well as his former club, Dinamo Zagreb. He took time to adapt to the rough and tumble of English football but came of age during the hectic Christmas period. Six goals in four games, including braces at Blackburn and Everton, kept Arsenal going when the going got tough.

Whether he is connecting with a cross, racing onto a through-ball or snaffling a rebound, Eduardo is icy cool in front of goal. That is a rare talent but unfortunately his first campaign will not be remembered for his tally of 12 goals.

Instead it will be remembered for THAT injury - a broken fibula and dislocated ankle, suffered at Birmingham on February 23. It was a sickening moment for Eduardo and, arguably, a turning point in Arsenal's title challenge.

When he returns this season, Eduardo can expect the warmest of welcomes. And once he is back to his best, Arsenal fans can expect more goals from this predatory striker.