Eduardo Update

Good news out of London today: Eduardo is expected to recover relatively quickly and be able to be up and running within six months, with a possible clearance of playing football again in nine months. After looking at the injury in closer detail, I am thrilled to hear that the Croatian international could be playing again in 2008. I did not foresee that possibility after looking at still photos and slowed down footage on YouTube. But today, Arsenal and Croatia fans may breathe a little easier and hold on to positive hopes for Eduardo's future.

And now hopefully the death threats on Birmingham's Martin Taylor will cease.

Though I deem it ridiculous and criminal for anyone to threaten the man's life, I do not find myself in the increasingly vocal majority of pundits and fans who feel the tackle was not malicious, and I take particular umbrage with those ex-players and commentators who have suggested the challenge did not even merit a yellow card. Malicious intent or not, it is painfully obvious that Taylor's attempted tackle was reckless, and reckless challenges are, by their very nature, condemnable and subject to guaranteed sending offs. And when reckless challenges result in career-threatening injuries? There is no doubt that the guilty player should come under review and be considered for serious suspension. I do not agree with Arsene Wenger's initial reaction that Taylor should "not be allowed to play football" ever again, but I do see a year suspension being warranted. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly clear that Wenger's constant suspicion about teams' approach to Arsenal well-founded and accurate. EPL squads appear intentionally out to "kick Arsenal;" to knock them out of their free-flowing rhythm by playing doggedly physical, in an effort to neutralize the Gunners' stylish approach. While I don't believe this approach should be prohibited by any stretch (it is basic sport to look for ways to neutralize opponents, and getting physical with your opponent is a heady tactic that transcends most sports), I do believe that Arsenal opponents should take heed to this latest injury, and be wary of commiting reckless fouls in the course of this strategy. I believe Taylor's case should be made an example of, to some extent, and that the FA should reaffirm the position that reckless and dangerous challenges on any player of any team will not be tolerated. Perhaps a year is too harsh, but a three game ban is surely too lenient, with respect to Taylor's tackle on poor Eduardo.

The Croation media are understandably irate over this development, as Eduardo figured to be a key component in Croatia's summer campaign in Euro '08. However, they are being overzealous and extreme, as evidenced by several of their journalists stopping Martin Taylor's car on the road and attempting to get in for what one assumes would have been a sort of "hijack-interview."