Arsenal star Bendtner: Taylor didn't mean to hurt Eduardo

The Danish striker played alongside Taylor during a season-long loan spell at St Andrews and supports Birmingham's claims the challenge was clumsy rather than spiteful.

Eduardo is recovering in a London hospital after the reckless lunge in the third minute of Saturday's 2-2 draw left him with a broken leg. His surgeon said today that he expects the striker to be back playing in 12 months.

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It was a heartbreaking way for the Croatia striker to mark his 25th birthday today and he faces a substantial spell on the sidelines that will exclude him from Euro 2008.

Visibly shaken by the severity of the injury, Taylor is reported to have visited Eduardo in hospital to explain the sickening incident was accidental.

Bendtner accepts that version of events and takes comfort from the knowledge the Brazilian-born striker has the determination to make a full recovery.

"Eduardo showed good skills to go around one defender and used quick feet when he saw the other defender, but was taken out," he told Arsenal TV online.

"The referee had no decision but to send Martin off. Due to being at Birmingham I know Martin is not a player like this. But given what happened you can't say it was anything other than a red card.

"Eduardo is a strong character and good person. He's done really well at Arsenal and I hope he will be back as quickly as possible."

While Bendtner applauded the decision by referee Mike Dean to show Taylor a straight red, he claims the official ultimately cost Arsenal two priceless points.

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Dean awarded a penalty against Gael Clichy, even through the Gunners defender won the ball from Stuart Parnaby, which James McFadden rifled home in the 91st minute.

With Manchester United blitzing Newcastle 5-1 later the same day, Arsenal's lead at the Barclays Premier League summit has been slashed to three points.

But Bendtner, who replaced Eduardo, has sought to rally Arsenal as they struggle through a crucial period of the season by reminding them they remain in control of the title race.

"It was a terrible day because of all the things that happened - the injury and the decisions," he said.

"We're down because the decision has had an effect on the title race. When you lose points because of a mistake from the referee and not because of the way you play, then it's even worse. The injury made it difficult but we knew we had to try and win the game because it was very important for us.

"We did everything we could but then a mistake from the referee cost us the game. From the replays it seems that the referee got it wrong. The ball was kicked really hard so obviously Gael got a touch on the ball.

"The linesman said nothing, so we feel hard done by. I'm really sorry the decision went against Gael. But the title race is still in our hands and we just have to do the best we can."

Possibly the only respite from a bleak Saturday were Theo Walcott's first Premier League goals, the second a sensational finish of his own marauding run.

"Theo did very well for both goals. He's been working really hard, is improving a lot and it was fantastic for him," said Bendtner.