Shakhtar Donetsk's former Gunner Eduardo
Wenger on Eduardo's unexpected return
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By Richard Clarke
There is a satisfying symmetry in Arsenal coming up against Eduardo during this season's Champions League group stages.
The Croatian first came to Arsène Wenger's attention when he played against the North London side for Dinamo Zagreb in the qualifying round of the competition in 2006. His strike in the second leg was the first European goal at Emirates Stadium.
Wenger was so impressed that the following summer Eduardo returned to Arsenal on a permanent basis.
He started well but his progress was halted by an horrific broken leg and dislocated ankle at Birmingham in February 2008. He came back from the injury but could not hold down a first-team place with Arsenal. However the 27-year-old has shown his old predatory instincts since joining Shakhtar in August.
"I did not expect to see him so quickly but we are happy to see him back," Wenger told Arsenal.com on Friday morning. "[I spotted him in a Champions League game] now he tries to hit us again."
Arsenal and Shakhtar enjoyed a couple of eventful games in the 2000/01 competition. A late Martin Keown double gave the home side a dramatic 3-2 win at Highbury while the Ukrainians won 3-0 on Matchday Six.
"Those were two difficult games," recalled Wenger. "People forget that it was not our first team in the away game. When we went over there we had already qualified.
"These days they are a more technical side than they were because there is a lot of Brazilian influence. In fact I feel they have a similar game to Arsenal."
[Friday, August 27, 2010]
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