By Rob Carragher Last updated: 21st November 2008
Eduardo: targeting Christmas return
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he expects striker Eduardo da Silva to return to training next week, following a spell of almost nine months on the sidelines.
The Brazil-born Croat has not played since breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle during Arsenal's trip to Birmingham on 23rd February - a game which many feel was the beginning of the end for Arsenal's title ambitions last season.
And with the club looking well off the pace so far this year, Arsenal fans will be hoping that the striker's long-awaited comeback can serve to ignite their faltering league campaign this time around.
"Eduardo is doing very well and is one week away from joining in training," Wenger confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
After such an extended period out of action the front man is unlikely to return to the first team before Christmas.
But faced with a notoriously heavy schedule around that time, Wenger will no doubt be keen to have even a half-fit Eduardo at his disposal.

A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
Pictures from the unveiling of Real Madrid's reported £56 million signing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pictures from the Under 21 championship semi-final between England and Sweden in Gothenburg.
Pictures from England's draw with Germany in the last Group B game of the Under 21 Championships.
A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs West Ham |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Birmingham vs Portsmouth |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Man Utd |
| 19:45 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Tottenham |
| 19:45 | Sunderland vs Chelsea |
| 19:45 | Wigan vs Wolverhampton |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Liverpool vs Stoke |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Everton |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 West Brom | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Bolton | |
| Sunderland 2 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Fulham 0 - 2 Everton | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Stoke | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Wigan 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Liverpool 3 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Monday 18th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 3 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Sunday 17th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| West Brom 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Bolton 1 - 1 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 0 Wigan | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Tottenham 2 - 1 Man City | |
| Everton 3 - 1 West Ham | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Birmingham City | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Bolton Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Burnley | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Chelsea | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Everton | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Fulham | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Hull City | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Liverpool | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Manchester City | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Portsmouth | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Stoke City | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Sunderland | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | West Ham United | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Wigan Athletic | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
Skysports.com takes a look at striker Michael Owen's career to date following his Man United switch.
Paul Merson is adamant: Michael Owen will score goals for fun now he's joned Manchester United.
Yuri Zhirkov has flown to London to undergo a medical with Chelsea according to reports in Russia.
Carlos Tevez believes Manchester United fans will forgive him if he seals a move to Manchester City.
Sunderland are closing in on the signing of Paraguay defender Paulo Da Silva.
Felipe Melo has reiterated he is happy at Fiorentina despite ongoing reports linking him to Arsenal.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has admitted Manchester City beat him to Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz.
Comments (2)
Emma Carway (Arsenal fan) says...
so glad he's nearly back. he never deserved what happened to him but that is football. the reception he will recieve when he plays again at emirates will be immense and i just hope he gets back to his best and shoots arsenal to the top of the league :D a girl can dream cant she :D
Posted 12:18 21st November 2008
Jonathan Casbon (Arsenal fan) says...
Its great news that Eduardo will be back in training from next week but I think, given the seriousness of his injury, it will be a few months before we see him on the Emirates pitch again. I hope, for the team's sake, that he does play sooner rather than later as he is a natural finisher which we need desperately now.
Posted 11:15 21st November 2008