Arsenal face Croatian outfit Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League knowing that a win would go a long way to qualifying in the top eight of the league phase.
Arsenal head into the tie at the Emirates Stadium desperate for three points that would help them avoid two extra games in February by going straight through to the Champions League last-16.
Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori both returned to training ahead of the game in a much-needed injury boost for Mikel Arteta following the latest setback to William Saliba after the North London Derby.
Arsenal have faced Dinamo Zagreb on four occasions in the past, with three wins and one defeat back in 2015. The Gunners once purchased a former striker from the club, whose career started with such promise but ended under such unfortunate circumstances.
Eduardo Da Silva’s Arsenal career promised much before horrific leg break
In 2007, Arsenal had just lost arguably their greatest ever player Thierry Henry to Barcelona and fans were a little underwhelmed when Eduardo Da Silva was signed for £7.5 million from relatively unknown outfit Dinamo Zagreb as his replacement.
It did not take long however for the Croatian striker to adhere himself to the Gunners faithful, as he quickly showed his potential to be one of the deadliest marksmen in the Premier League.
Eduardo started his Arsenal career off on the front foot, scoring 12 times in his opening 31 appearances across all competitions at the start of the 07/08 season and made his name as a cool and composed finisher.
Then, Arsenal travelled to Birmingham City sitting five points clear at the top of the league with just 12 games to go and an incident occurred that changed the course of Arsenal’s season but more importantly Eduardo’s career.
A challenge from defender Martin Taylor caught Eduardo and he suffered an instant fibula and tibia fracture, an injury that would keep the striker out of first team action for two years.
Understandably, the Croatian was never quite the same upon his return and left the club in 2010 after a move to Shakhtar Donetsk was negotiated. He returned to the Emirates playing for Shakhtar and on an emotional night, reminded Arsenal fans just how good he could have been by scoring.
Eduardo at Arsenal’s training session ahead of Dinamo Zagreb clash
Eduardo was spotted at Arsenal’s open training session ahead of their clash with his former side Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
The former Gunners man seen embracing manager Arteta and watching the current Arsenal squad being put through their paces in what must have been a touching experience for the Croatian star.
He may not have won a trophy in his time at Arsenal but ask any Gunners fan who can remember the Brazilian-born striker and they will tell you they have very fond memories of his time in North London.
Eduardo Da Silva, a player that had the potential to be one of Arsenal’s greatest goal scorers but was cruelly stopped in his tracks to stardom.
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