Should Eduardo Da Silva Start For Arsenal Against Sunderland

It was 51 weeks since Arsenal and Croatia striker Eduardo Da Silva had been involved in a horrific tackle which left him with a broken fibula and a dislocated ankle.

The Croatian had been in fine form for the 2007/2008 season before suffering that almost career ending injury. But when Arsenal took on Cardiff City for the FA Cup fourth round replay Eduardo Da Silva started for the first time for the Arsenal seniors in almost a year.

The striker had been through alot, surgery, recovery sessions, watching Arsenals title hopes fade away. But despite that Eduardo pulled through, battled to get his fitness to the ideal shape it has to be in for the English game. He worked on his strength so he was ready for the physicality and brute force of the EPL.

Fans were contemplating what to expect from the striker who was initally signed to replace Gunners legend Thierry Henry. Would he still have his bliestering pace, would he be tentative and neggative, would he shy away from tackles and would he still have that icy cool calmness infront of goal.

Cardiff may have been a Championship side but it did not mean it would be it would be a nice stroll in the park for the Gunners plus there youngsters had been knocked out of the League cup in late 2008 by Burnley.

The Arsenal fans were estatic as Eduardo left the field after 67 minutes. He had scored 2 magnificent goals, had not shyed away and looked dangerous with the ball. The footballing world knew that Dude was back.

Arsenal are due to take on the doughty Sunderland this weekend. You would expect a routine victory from the Wengers men but routine victories have struggled to come this year for the Gunners. There is hope to see new signing, Russian Andrei Asharvin but there is even more hope to see Eduardo Da Silva.

I believe that Arsenal would benefit greatly if Wenger pair Eduardo with inform star Robin van Persie and rest Emmanuel Adebayor to the bench. This is an unlikely prospect as Eduardo did start against Cardiff and his legs will still be a little frail.

Eduardo and van Persie are both very creative have pace, balance and a superb shot and I think it will give Wengers men an edge of a Cardiff.

It is unlikely Eduardo will start but he is a certainty for the bench. We will have to wait and see who starts and who is benched for Arsenal when they take on Sunderland. The main thing really is that Arsenal triumph.