Source: Telegraph
Eduardo to fire for Arsenal against Celtic says Arsene Wenger
Arsenal have a 2-0 lead over Celtic going into the second leg of their Champions League qualifier at the Emirates tonight.
Eduardo was just settling into English football when he suffered his horrific leg and ankle injury some 18 months ago against Birmingham but is now fully recovered and, according to Wenger, someone whose creativity can prove vital to Arsenal’s season.
“Eduardo was one of the players we missed terribly because he can score goals and provide,” said Wenger. “What was always the strength of our team is that our strikers can score, but they can provide as well, and Eduardo is one of those so we missed him highly. We missed the 100 per cent Eduardo who is now coming back.
“It is a massive season for Eduardo because he was out for such a long time. He was out before he could prove what a big player he is. In the first season for the first six months he didn’t play a lot.
“When he then came in and showed his class, he was then injured and lost a whole season. Now he is in the third season without having the opportunity until now to prove how good he is. I had doubts about his injuries and only fools would say they had no doubt.
“When you see his first injury, you had to have doubts but he has shown his strength of character and now I have no doubts any more about him because for me he is completely a normal player.”
Despite selling Emmanuel Adebayor for £25 million to Manchester City, Wenger currently has no plans to enhance his attacking options and, as well as Eduardo, has considerable belief in the potential impact this season of Robin van Persie.
“He is fitter and stronger,” said Wenger. “I was always protective with him because he was always playing with some pain. At the moment he's pain-free so I'm less reluctant. He's had a good start to the season up to now.
“He's a technical player. Through the middle I like to have players with a little touch, and his first touch is fantastic. He gets players in. He's essential.”
