Wenger blasts Taylor

Gunners boss lays into Blues stopper over challenge

By James Pearson   Last updated: 23rd February 2008

Wenger blasts Taylor

Wenger: Not happy

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Birmingham's Martin Taylor intentionally set out to injure Eduardo at St Andrews.

Taylor was dismissed within the opening stages of the 2-2 draw on Saturday when his over-the-top challenge on Eduardo broke the striker's leg.

Wenger was unhappy his side dropped two points in injury-time, although it was Taylor's challenge that left a sour taste in his mouth come the final whistle.

Season over

The vastly-experienced French tactician has confirmed Eduardo's season is over and he also fears the striker could well miss a substantial chunk of the next campaign.

"I think this guy should never play football again. What's he doing on the pitch?" fumed Wenger.

"The injury is the result of a very bad tackle that is not forgivable. The first diagnosis is that the injury is very bad. He appears to have broken his shin and his fibula.

"I've gone along with the idea for a long time that to stop Arsenal, you have to kick Arsenal. I knew that was coming for a long time now.

"The season is over for him and it's very, very bad. More than the season is over."

Wenger believes the severe injury to Eduardo affected their performance, although he felt they should have claimed the points having led late on at St Andrews.

"It affected us one hundred per cent in the first half but we also have to look at ourselves," he continued.

"We should have killed the game off earlier and scored the third goal. We didn't do that."