"One of the best finishers around"

After arriving home from the airport on Monday, I quickly checked Yahoo! Sports for the results of the matches on Saturday. Going a weekend without any internet access drove me up the wall, and I was so excited to check up on everything I missed.

To my dismay, Arsenal drew against Birmingham 2-2.

But that did not irk me.

What irked me was the horrific injury of Eduardo da Silva, the Brazilian-born Croatian striker of Arsenal FC. I would post pictures, but surely you wouldn't want to see them, especially on a full stomach.

Eduardo suffered a compound fracture to his left fibula and an open dislocation of his left ankle from a heart-skipping tackle from the opposing team's Martin Taylor. He was immediately taken to Selly Oaks Hospital and underwent surgery. Sources say without quick action, there was possibility that his leg would have had to be amputated, which would put a gloomy end to his footballing career.

Taylor, of course, got red-carded.

But that is not enough.

How can one tackle in such a way that makes another player's leg pop out of his skin? Those pictures I witnessed were grueling, and were in no way a pretty sight. Eduardo will not join the gunners again this season. But fortunately, according to Arsene Wenger, Arsenal manager and diety, the striker will be back and ready to play in nine months.

Taylor should be banned from the football pitch, for a very long time. This is such a disappointment to the footballing world. A sport known for it's sportsmanship is now the exposé of the dirty tactics of athletes. North London is angry, and Croatia is as well. Hell, people all around the world is furious. And something needs to be done.

There has been a petition floating around the internet, wanting Martin Taylor to be banned from football for good. The look of that result seems iffy, but if FIFA has half a brain they'd suspend him for quite a duration of the season.

I couldn't sleep on the night upon hearing the news. All that consumed my mind was the thought of poor Eduardo spending his 25th birthday in a hospital bed. I decided to send Mr. da Silva a message through the Arsenal email address, wishing him the best of luck and heart-felt wishes:

You are an amazing footballer with such talent and skill. I have faith that you will certainly heal soon and join the gunners again. God bless you, and I pray for your health. You are such a good soul, and your strength is incredibly admirable. Keep the faith going, you have family, friends, and millions of fans supporting you and your progress in healing.

Over 21,500 messages have come into Arsenal.com from fans all around the world. They will collate all the messages sent and give them to Eduardo. The idea of putting together such kind words and wishes for him brings tears to my eyes. Just knowing that he'll read my message and that I'll make him feel better really makes me feel good about myself.

As for the gunners? They are heartbroken and distraught over this depressing event, but that will not bring them down. This will make them work just as hard, and to fly through the Premier League, kicking Manchester United deeper into the hole.

Win the League for Eduardo, guys. He's praying for you.