Alex McLeish believes Eduardo’s horrific injury at Birmingham probably cost Arsenal the Premier League title – and his own team’s survival in the top flight.
A 10-game run was on the cards when Arséne Wenger’s men travelled up to St Andrews looking to go 8 points clear in the league ahead of rivals Manchester United.
But the game didn’t go to plan for the Gunners, who were about to witness one of the most sickening challenges in world football just nine minutes into the game.
Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva sustained a broken leg as well as a dislocated ankle after Brum centre back Martin Taylor clattered into him in what seemed a quite unnecessary tackle.
Arsenal skipper William Gallas frustratingly kicked out on an advertising hoarding when the visitors conceded a last-minute penalty to draw 2-2, a terrible day for Arsenal but did it really effect the hosts as much as the visiting side?
“We were affected as much as Arsenal were and it was without doubt a factor in both our seasons,” revealed McLeish, in an interview with the Mirror.
“When Martin came back I didn’t think he was quite himself and I think he was also affected as much as Arsenal.
“It wasn’t the Martin who had been playing previously before the Eduardo incident.”
McLeish is right as well, it did affect Arsenal’s winning percentage which suffered a severe drop from 73% to 42% following Eduardo’s injury However, Birmingham’s win ratio improved from 19% to 25%.
So there you are, not only has McLeish admitted his player was to blame for Arsenal’s major dip in form, he also believes the Eduardo injury sent his team down to the Championship.
Is the Brum boss talking sense? Or just covering up what was a poor season for the Midlands side?
Your opinion matters, on Gooner Talk…
Tags: arsenal, birmingham, champions, eduardo, injury, relegation, taylor
June 6, 2008 at 5:49 pm
First Gun!
June 6, 2008 at 5:50 pm
McLeish has experienced what is widely referred to as, ‘karma’.
June 6, 2008 at 5:52 pm
haha definitely
He mentioned almost a week ago that he’d like to keep the ‘relationship’ that he has with the club, i.e loaning players.
Link
June 6, 2008 at 5:56 pm
who cares its water under the bridge now.when mcliesh was asked a first he did not admit that taylor`s challenge was rough.i am sure had it been steve bruce things could have been different on how birmingham handled the eduardo situaion.macliesh was just a manager coming from scotlaand and did not know the tides btwn arsenal and birmingham.if it wasn`t for arsenal birmingham would have stayed in the championship anyway.when they got promoted half their team was arsenal larson,muamba,djoru,bendtner,eve at the begining of the season palacios was recomended to steve bruce by wenger. birmig did bite the hand that fed them,now they are trying to keep us sweet so that they can get players onloan. noways
June 6, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Aslong as Eduardo comes back strong for us I’ll be happy, he can help us win it next season.
Great blog!
June 6, 2008 at 5:58 pm
You’re right Nash, but its good to go over things like this to resolve the issues etc.
Cheers Andy, and i’m sure you’re one of many Gooners thinking the same thing
June 6, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Hope he’ll always end up a loser and relegator. He could have been more honest about the tackle, but he wasn’t, and didn’t correct taylor’s lie about visiting and apologizing to eduardo. Of course, he’s well tutored by red-nose.
June 6, 2008 at 5:59 pm
And I can’t believe he’s got the nerve to talk about loaning players from Arsenal for next season. I will be horrified if Arsene sends any of our players to Brum after that tackle and the insensitive comments from players and staff at the club afterwards.
June 6, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Agreed Passenal, it would be ludicrous.
June 6, 2008 at 6:21 pm
What a boring week for us Arsenal fans that the only thing we’ve got to talk about is Mr McLeish and his attempts to strike up a friendship with Arsenal during the transfer window. I feel for you Gooner Chris, having to write a blog when nothings happening. I really hope we start to get some luck and good news in the transfer window soon!!
June 6, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Hmmm, I was trying to divert the attention away from all the transfer rumours
June 6, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Lol – dont blame you!! Im sure all the sites are now regurgitating all the old rumours and gossip now anyway!
June 6, 2008 at 6:29 pm
haha ok mate.
Btw, if you’re fed up of all the sites/blogs on newsnow talking shite, use this link:
Link
June 6, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Thanks a lot! You may have saved me from slitting my wrists!!
BTW Keep up the blog, theres a handful of good blogs and yours is certainly up there with them!
June 6, 2008 at 6:34 pm
BTW if you could ask AW only 1 question, what would you ask?
June 6, 2008 at 6:38 pm
How old is his daughter..
))
June 6, 2008 at 6:43 pm
haha Daniel and Cheers Seb.
Tricky question. Ummmm.
Why did you sell one of the greatest midfielders in Europe in Robert Pires when you could of extended his contract by an extra year?
June 6, 2008 at 6:47 pm
My mates answers:
1. Who would u wanna sign the most if you’re give unlimited budget?
2. Can I play for arsenal?
3. Why did you let Bergkamp retire?
4. Why did you sell Henry?
5. How come you’re so tight with money?
6. Why do you continue to play Eboue when he’s utter shit?
June 6, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Bobby Pires was quality and deserved a couple more years with us, although he did start getting injured reguarly….
June 6, 2008 at 6:49 pm
lol the eboue ones been asked! he just compared him to ray parlour!!
June 6, 2008 at 6:50 pm
:O
What question would you ask SebCesc?
I might do an article about this actually..
June 6, 2008 at 6:52 pm
It’s hardly Karma, if you lot are still witchhunting Tayor it’s sad and pathetic.
Some of our own players were guilty off some pretty awful challenges, and in some cases (Eboue??!!!) lucky that it didn’t have a similar outcome to the Eduardo incident.
Mccleish is right in saying that the game had a massive impact on both ours and Birmingham’s season, but they owe us nothing with regard to players loaned in the past. Get over it and stop blaming Birmingham and Taylor for us failng to win anything.
June 6, 2008 at 6:53 pm
You’ve developed some great players while at arsenal who’s the one you are most proud of?
June 6, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Justin Hoyte
June 6, 2008 at 6:55 pm
justin hoyte?!? hes off to villa isnt he!?
June 6, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Maybe, Kerrea Gilbert is set to be released which may mean Hoyte takes up the no 2. right back spot.
June 6, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I think what made me realise Hoyte isnt going to get a chance is when toure was made right back when sagna was injured instead of him.
June 6, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Chris , i started reading this blog 1 week ago and i can say just positive things about it.Keep up the good work m8 CHEERS!
June 6, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Ah cheers mate, much appreciated.
June 6, 2008 at 10:34 pm
I like how everyone has ignored rosetinted, right on, what a silly person/comment.
There are so many questions I’d like to ask Wenger: one of them is; what is the real reason you sold Diarra? Another is; who would you like to take over from you, when you eventually leave Arsenal?
June 6, 2008 at 10:36 pm
That version of newsnow that you gave as a link, is much better than the original. Thank you.
June 6, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Id like to ask him why does he seem to prefer having a small squad & does the board really have money to give him or are they broke & is he really just covering up for them buy saying he dont need to buy big players.
June 7, 2008 at 12:48 am
[...] sour and dour note, Alex McLeish has talking recently on Eduardo’s injury and how it was the major factor in us not winning the league. How [...]
June 7, 2008 at 2:10 am
You like how everyone has ignored my comment do you Gunnerforlife? You prefer to write it off as a silly comment?
Dunno why I am even getting involved, the real reson why we sold Diarra? What is it a conspiracy? He wanted to leave and Wenger sold him. I know it’s a shame as he is a good player and the fact that Flamini ignored this when deciding to leave reflects badly on him. But get over it!!! Your a fan you haven’t got a clue about how to manage/run a football club. Arsenal is one of the best run clubs in the world, always has been and this is reflected in our average league position over the last 70 years or so. Stop watching Sky sports and getting your views from the Sun and get a life.
June 7, 2008 at 11:21 am
I don’t read the sun, unlike you apparently. Adams hinted at there being an alterior reason why Wenger sold Diarra, so shut up and get your info right before you say anything. Yes, it was asilly comment, just like this recent one.
I don’t care that Diarra left, I just want to know what Adams meant. Some people, honestly, so ignorant. Get over the fact that you were ignored.