Arsenal supporters no doubt have that miserable day back in February 2008 when they were pegged back by a 10-men Birmingham City team at St. Andrews still etched into their collective memories. They will remember this day because it proved to be the impetus for their own collapse. It was the moment that their title challenge came to an end. It was the moment William Gallas proved himself unworthy of the Arsenal captaincy, and, most tragic of all: it was almost the end of Eduardo da Silva’s footballing career.

It was a Birmingham City defender, Martin Taylor whose wild lunge left Eduardo prostrate on the St. Andrews turf. Taylor’s challenge did more than break Eduardo’s shin, ankle and fibula. It also sparked a media-frenzy – there were those who berated the current state of football, whereby teams lower down the table would attempt to stop the teams near the top by kicking them into submission and there were also those who came out in defence of City’s contentious defender. But no amount of pundits chiming in that, “He’s not that kind of player” could cheer up poor old Eduardo and the weary Arsenal fans who have seen similar career-threatening injuries occur to both Diaby and their prodigious young Welshman Aaron Ramsey.

I’m not here to claim that Taylor deliberately set out to hurt Eduardo. Taylor’s tackle was reckless, not calculated. Yet this one reckless moment has had a devastating effect on one man’s career. Prior to his injury Eduardo had a conversion rate of 23.5% in the Premiership. When he returned this dropped to below 7%. Eduardo’s career ended with a whimper – he was never quite able to recover his pace or his natural strikers instinct. Eduardo’s final days at Arsenal played out like a sad reminder of a talent spurned and an opportunity missed, for both Eduardo and for Arsenal. On July 2010 Eduardo left Arsenal to join the Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk.

Eduardo’s in the news again, of course, because Arsenal are set to meet Shakhtar Donetsk tonight in the Champion’s League. Speaking of the encounter, Eduardo told the Telegraph, “If I play it will be very emotional,” said Eduardo. “If I score, I don’t think I will celebrate. It wasn’t my fault I broke my leg, but it’s true to say that moment changed my sporting career.” It’s sure to be emotional for Arsenal fans too, who will feel as though they have been deprived of a real quality player – one with the talent and the will-power to help them challenge for the titles. It’s been a long road back for Eduardo from his injury hell and I’m sure there’s not a football fan out there that doesn’t wish him the best. I thought I’d leave you with this, one of the most sublime finishes to be seen in the Premiership for the last couple of years and a reminder of just how talented this lad is:

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