Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor was delighted for Arsenal
striker Eduardo over his successful comeback on Monday night.
When Eduardo fell one year ago, the finger of blame was pointed
at Taylor for a mistimed challenge that left the striker with a
double compound fracture of his right leg.
The defender told the Daily Mail: "I kept updated
throughout the game and then went on a website to see what average
marks had been given out.
"Normally they are sixes and sevens. His was about nine-point
seven. He must have done well. It’s a relief to see him back
playing."
The 29-year old father of three says: "I know in my heart of
hearts that it was an accident. A horrible accident. So I wanted to
see him playing again. You can never be sure. I was hopeful because
of the updates I received from Arsenal. I kept my fingers crossed
when he was playing in the reserves.
"But there is nothing like that first proper game because you
are never quite sure whether you have recovered or not. I had a
feeling he would be okay because he’d played for Croatia last week.
I think it lifted Arsenal on Monday night and I can understand
why.
"To recover both mentally and physically — to get through that
training and to get back to that standard — he has done really,
really well. You have to be exceptional to reach that level in the
first place. It is one thing to come back and play at all. It is
another to play for Arsenal."