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Walcott inspired by Eduardo comeback
James Olley and Tom Collomosse9 Mar 2009
Theo Walcott has revealed how team-mate Eduardo's stunning comeback gave him extra motivation for his own return to action.
The England winger ended his four-month absence after shoulder surgery as Arsene Wenger's side beat Burnley to set up an FA Cup quarter-final against Hull — with Chelsea lying in wait in the last four.
Eduardo's stunning volley capped a superb display in the Gunners' 3-0 win and Walcott says the Croat's comeback from a broken leg has inspired his own recovery.
Walcott, now preparing to travel to Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday, said:
“Eduardo's finishing is ridiculous — it is unbelievable to watch in training. He hasn't lost his touch and he never will. His goal is the best finish I have seen this year.
“I have learned from watching him while he has been injured, how well he took everything and how he smiles when he comes in every day.
“All the injured players lie on the beds together so there is a lot of banter around and that keeps everyone's hopes up. We train with fitness coach Tony Colbert and it's nice to have a bit of company but we all want to be back out on the pitch.
“As soon as we have got all our players back hopefully we will be flying. If we play football like we did today, we can beat anyone.”
Carlos Vela, Eduardo and Emmanuel Eboue scored the goals as Arsenal gained revenge for their Carling Cup exit at the hands of the same opponents last December.
Walcott, who came on as a late substitute, admitted he expects to be “clattered” by Roma's hard men in Arsenal's Champions League showdown.
The Gunners travel to Italy on Wednesday night defending a narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg a fortnight ago, after which striker Robin van Persie complained of heavy-handed treatment from the Giallorossi.
The 19-year-old admits his shoulder was not tested at Emirates Stadium but he insists the Italians' tough tactics hold no fear.
He said: “The shoulder feels fine. I still haven't experienced getting clattered yet so that's the next test. But if that happens, our new doctor Gary O'Driscoll has come from a rugby background and he says, touch wood, I'll be okay.”
Julio Baptista warned Arsenal they will face a much tougher test in Rome than they did in the first leg.
Baptista said: “Under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal love to pass the ball around, but Roma had several key players missing in the first leg.
“It is a shame we did not play better in London, but nothing is decided. We have been prolific in our home matches this season.”
Reader views (5)
Jane.
Don't normally 'blog', but I couldn't resist this open goal, luv.
So, 'you can only beat who is in front of you'?
Well, it said 'versus Arsenal' on the matchday programme at The Turf, and Wenger's insolent pride in playing kids, however talented, meant he didn't repeat the same mistake on Sunday.
Still, if we can teach him a footballing lesson, like the first rule of sportsmanship - 'always respect all your opponents'.
And Burnley's win, unlike your usual 'games' with
Man U, Chelsea and Spurs, was acheived without kicking lumps out of your kids.
But hey, with panic setting in and another trophyless season fast running out, suddenly the FA Cup is important again to Wenger.
Cynical arrogance, I call it.
Anyway, don't despair, cos I don't think Burnley will be playing you in the Prem next season, but we might yet just get to Wembley, at last, for a play off final this summer. Third time lucky?
Not bad for the highest placed [small] TOWN club in British football.
- Dave, Cumbria, 10/03/2009 08:58
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And your point is Dave??? You can only beat who is in front of you.. So Eagles gifted us the first goal?? It wasnt anything to do with Velas superb talent. Second goal was amazing and third goal was a great team goal . Should have been four! We havent had the best season at all but we are still fifth and in quarter finals fa cup, quarter finals carling cup and nearly quaters champions league!! Burnley took us on toe to toe!! they had a good five minutes at the beginning then they were woeful! They were bad at white hart lane as well. They had a good cup run at home in in the carling cup but they beat us cause we didnt have our first team out! thats it!!
- Jane, london, 09/03/2009 16:03
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Neat football and fancy finishing might ease The Gunners past a small [virtually the whole available BFC first team squad were on the field and the bench at the Emirates], tired [46 games already this season!] and impoverished team, who, without any media whines and bleating excuses from their dignified manager, still had the guts to take you on toe to toe at football, despite
1. All your illgotten gains as a complicit participent in hijacking the 'Premier' league from the full 92 league clubs, and
2. Your self-serving membership of the Euro Club syndicate of that now diluted but highly lucrative 'Non-League-Champions' Trophy.
But I can't really seriously see Arsenal winning anything this season, apart from a global sales prize for selling more plastic shirts to Africa and South America.
But, there again, that's what the game's about now.
What would Herbert Chapman say, I wonder?
PS: Eagles, the guy who inadvertantly gifted you the first goal hasn't played a full match for weeks due to a very serious chest infection, which he was so obviously still carrying!
- Dave, Cumbria, 09/03/2009 15:18
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Well done Walcott and Eduardo,you are already making your presence felt.However I would like to mention Arshavin for his work because it was a fifty fifty ball which was going out and he held it ,then started the move for the second goal.Many Arsenal players need to copy him.
A.Messina
- A.Messina, Malta, 09/03/2009 13:37
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Brilliant math well done, Arsen
- Jaberwokie3, switzerland, 09/03/2009 09:25
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