Arsenal's Eduardo Da Silva: The Fox is Back in the Box

"Well Eduardo has been the best player on the pitch for this half hour. His movement, his positional sense, his awareness, his coolness in front of goal, the clean-ness of his headed goal...all quality. He's the difference, and he seems to have rejuvenated a side that lacked creative intuition in months gone by."

Twenty-nine minutes into his comeback game and that was how the commentary on Goal.com ran. I smiled at the thought that, only just two days ago, I used the same definition for the man. I also mentioned he would bring about a renewed purpose to a side that has lacked it's founding footballing principle, creativity.

When Eduardo got on the pitch, a sigh of relief must have been heaved across North London(N5), and to every true fan of the game, it was a lovely sight. The reason not lost to the ardent follower of the game. From his first touch you could tell, of his class and the anticipation of a fine evening's game would creep into your mind.

His movement and the deftness of his touches were remarkable, especially for someone who had not seen top flight football for a whole year and the fear of his reclusiveness, going by the type of look one gets after that tackle on him many months ago, indeed he showed none of such and was in the mix at all times. Touching, passing, running, chasing down the ball, going for the aerial challenge, and making tackles to help his mates keep possession or power up an attack with his measured passing.

He did everything right and his first goal, a quick interchange of passing with the very impressive Mexican youngster, Carlos Vela, and the purposeful header into the far corner, a beauty to behold. His second, a true definition of his awareness, composure and determination to get on with a game he so loves. He won the penalty, took the ball, placed it with a calmness, that was reassuring and then buried the ball in the far corner, albeit sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

He is a true gentleman and that was displayed when he ran straight up to the bench and gave an emotionally charged hug to the Fitness Trainer at the Emirates, Tony Colbert. Minutes later he jugged off to a thunderous applause from the Arsenal faithful and I am sure a few of the Cardiff City Supporters. Even though he walked straight to the dressing room, one hopes its only for a quick check-up on how his system reacted to the comeback and not another set-back.

In the end, the 57,000+ who graced the Emirates in the chilly weather, would have gone home with memories that have the name EDUARDO Da SILVA written all over them.

He is back, "The Fox In The Box."