‘I had to fight my emotions when I returned’

Eduardo will always be a firm favourite among our fans.

The Croatia forward joined us in 2007 and battled back from a career-threatening injury to score 20 goals in 67 appearances for us, before leaving for Shakhtar Donetsk at the end of the 2009/10 season.

 

Eduardo returned to Emirates Stadium with the Ukrainian side the following season, scoring a late consolation in our Champions League group-stage win, and says he will never forget that evening in N5.

 

“I felt like I should have never left Arsenal and I felt very emotional in that game,” he told Arsenal Player. “I was nearly crying when I came back, so I had to try to fight with my emotions inside because it was a very nice reception from the fans. That day was unbelievable.

 

“Time has gone by very quickly, so I have the same feeling now as I did on my first day. I spent three seasons here and had a great time with great moments. I learned a lot at Arsenal especially on the pitch, about the mentality, the training and the game. I learned a lot off the pitch as well, about how to be a good player with a good mind.

 

“When I left in 2010, I understood that the Premier League is the best league in the world and I was missing playing in the Premier League a lot. I watched a lot of games that Arsenal played in the Premier League and Champions League, the League Cup too. It’s the best league in the world and the dream of any player to play in it.

 

“I still check Arsenal results because it was the best day of my life when I arrived here for the first time. I will never forget my first game. I’m very happy to come back here whenever I can.”