Warning: a kinda long post!

Like most Gooners, I am still in a state of mixed emotions.

We were going to dedicate yesterday's game to Omar Sagna, Bacary Sagna's older brother who died suddenly at the young age of 28. He was reportedly found dead in his bath.

But what did we get instead? A quite horrific and very upsetting injury as a result of an unnecessary over-the-top tackle on Dudu by Martin Taylor!

I've been an avid watcher/follower of English football for over twenty years now. The long ball, kick and rush, sometimes excessive physical stance seems to be an integral part of their game. Now, these stems right from the grass roots. It seems they have completely abandoned finesse, skill and flair and believe that grit and being physical are the only ways to play football. Even some honest English people will agree and have admitted to this. At league level, my club's opponents, bar maybe the likes of Man U and even Tottenham, believe that to beat Arsenal you have to 'kick' them off the park. Look at the result of that belief now!

My 6.5 ft tall oldest son plays footie. He is one of his college's goalie. He tells me (and I have been to a few of their trainings as well and have heard) their coaches say things like "get in the opponents faces", " don't let them settle on the ball" "play it long", "you've got to go for the tackle" etc... I find the coaching tactics similar to the comedic saying in the late 70s and early 80s; "if you miss the ball don't miss the leg".

Okay, I know accidents happen, tackles happen, but Mart's studs were clearly raised. Now, I'm not by any means implying he hurt Edu deliberately, but there should be no place in football for tackles such as the one we saw yesterday. Dudu's ankle appeared severed from his leg! The guy could have died from the shock and the excruciating pain on first impact! As things are now, Edu is definitely ruled out of the rest of the season; he will definitely not be able to play for his adopted country Croatia in the Euro Championship and his career may well be over, all because of the senseless challenge! Oh, how I feel for him and his family. I mean, cut down like that in his prime? Poor bloke!

I have seen clear vivid pictures of the tackle (even before MOTD showed it) and the resulting injury and was going to post the link, but I can't seem to find the pics anymore. Will be on the lookout and will post as soon as I find them again.

On Arsene Wenger and his post match comments on Mart Taylor: at first, in the heat of the moment, I admit I said and believed exactly the same as Wenger. Matt should be punished - oh definitely! Glad AW retracted his strong comments though.

On Gallas and his behavior afterward: I and am sure majority of Arsenal fans were very emotional the entire match. From the injury on Edu right through the end. I sort of understand Gallas' reaction. He was clearly distraught as most of us fans were. But I also admit that as Captain, he could have composed himself better.

On Adebayor and his apparent childish feud with Bendter: Ade caused us a clear could-have-been-the-third-and-winning-goal, by not passing that ball to Bendtner. If it is proven that Ade did this deliberately, then Arsene should give him a good talking to or better still, a punishment.

Lastly and sentiments aside, I wish and pray we now go on to win the title. I hope this will spur us on and make us even more determined to win it against all the odds.

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I found the greatest love of all in, J,D,D,& T

Found it!

Eduardo Da Silva Injury + Pictures « The Gooner Forum “Blog”

Study the third pic well. Ankle appeared severed from the leg!

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I found the greatest love of all in, J,D,D,& T

More pictures. These ones from different angles. Quite nasty injury *shudders*


Ban Taylor for life for horror tackle | Sport | News of the World

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I found the greatest love of all in, J,D,D,& T

I might not be able to post a thread as long as Tiron's for want of time.But I sure know if I could,I would pour out my heart.This is one of the reasons why England are underachievers in world football.They simply cant play football! It's really disgraceful to think they are the originators of the modern game and are so far behind.So many mediocres who are addressed as players are everywhere and I pity them when they talk about foreign imports.Its realy very terrible and I wish Eduardo a speedy recovery.Just when the dude was beginning to live up to his potentials,some fool cuts him down.I HOPE that Birmingham are relegated sef!!! And dont expect me to retract that!

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..To the one who spoke and the galaxies leapt into existence....who can't be explained on a chalkboard but can be accessed through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.....whose word never returns to him void but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent.....the one in whom I am complete.....the great I am...who was,who is and who is to come....
www.ifreke.blogspot.com

That act was barbaric period, and as u rightly said there should be no place in football for such tackles. I wish Eduardo a speedy recovery, he sure could do with prayers too u know.

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CHERISH YOUR VISIONS AND YOUR DREAMS AS THEY ARE THE CHILDREN OF YOUR SOUL; THE BLUEPRINTS OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS

Very well said Tiron and Ifreke....I was monumentally shaken when Edu's injury happened especially with the reaction on the faces of the players.I hope we win for his sake as Flamini said.He has already given us sweet memories like his brace against Everton and his brilliant strikes against West Ham and Man City...Good to see him on ur avatar Ifreke.

Wishing Eduardo a speedy recovery. We the Man United fans would have loved to see him finish the season in good health. His injury was as a result of a reckless tackle gone wrong and the result is disastrous. Players need to be careful when they make tackles. I know Taylor had no malicious intent as I've had the benefit of watching replays of the tackle, but this goes to show that players should respect eachother even when they're in the process of making such tackles.

However, I agree with Wenger that his comments about Taylor were excessive and we made in the heat of the moment.
1) Taylor did not go in two-footed.
2) Taylor did not run 50-60 yards to make the tackle, so I do not think it was premeditated.
However, it was indeed a reckless tackle and players should know they owe eachother a duty not to endanger the careers of other players.

Get well soon Eduardo. I'm also a fan of him simply because of his finishing. He reminds me of Romario who also had ice-cool finishing.

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"The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence."

Edu shud be up and running in six months and fully healed by Xmas..Cant wait to have him back!

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..To the one who spoke and the galaxies leapt into existence....who can't be explained on a chalkboard but can be accessed through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.....whose word never returns to him void but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent.....the one in whom I am complete.....the great I am...who was,who is and who is to come....
www.ifreke.blogspot.com

I'm happy he's expected to fully recover from his injury. Players like him are extremely rare in world football. His calmness in front of goal is unique and like I said earlier, Romario used to possess such quality. But since he retired, I have hardly seen players with such poise and calmness. Benzema is another guy who's calm in front of goal, but Eduardo has shown he can do it in any league or international match. I really like his style of play.

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"The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence."

Yeah,I wish we could get Benzema into Arsenal too...He's such a deadly player and Man U know as much...He has already said he will prefer Spain or Italy but all tht one na initial gra gra....Anyways,to the very essence of this thread:Quick recovery our beloved EDUARDO!

Thank Heavens he is back on his feet at least!
Eduardo back on his feet at last | the Daily Mail