DUDU

Eduardo Alves da Silva (born 25 February 1983 in Rio de Janeiro), commonly known simply as Eduardo, is a Brazilian-born Croatian footballer currently playing for English Premier League club Arsenal and the Croatia national team. He has recovered after rehabilitation after suffering a compound fracture on his left fibula and an open dislocation of his ankle in Arsenal's match against Birmingham City on February 23, 2008 and made his return for Arsenal Reserves against Portsmouth on 16 December 2008. On 16 February 2009, almost a year after being injured, he made his comeback to the first team in a FA cup replay against Cardiff in which he scored 2 goals[2] only to come off injured in that game and miss a further 2 weeks. However, upon this return, he scored a stunning left-footed volley against Burnley in the 5th Round of the FA Cup. On 3 July 2007, Arsenal confirmed that terms had been agreed with Dinamo Zagreb for the transfer of Eduardo for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £7.5 million, subject to receiving a work permit.[5][6] The initial work permit application was turned down by the Home Office, but the appeal hearing on 2 August reversed the decision.[7] Eduardo made his Arsenal debut on 19 July as a 69th-minute substitute in a pre-season friendly against Gençlerbirliği in Austria[8] and made his first start against Lazio in a 2–1 win at the Amsterdam Tournament 2007. He scored his first Arsenal goal in that game, a header from a Tomáš Rosický corner. Eduardo made his Premier League debut on 19 August 2007 in Arsenal's 1–1 draw at Blackburn Rovers, being replaced by Denílson in the 65th minute. Ten days later, he netted his first competitive goal for the Gunners in their UEFA Champions League qualifier against Sparta Prague, setting the final score on 3–0 a few minutes from time. He went on to score his first group-stage goal in the Champions League on 19 September 2007, once again setting the final score on 3–0 in the last minute of stoppage time against Sevilla. While still fighting to find his place as a regular in the Premiership for Arsenal, Eduardo continued to display his goalscoring abilities in the Carling Cup, scoring two braces in two consecutive matches for the club, against Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers, and helping them to reach the semi-finals of the competition. Eduardo found more playing time in all competitions due to Robin Van Persie's lengthly injury and found himself partnering Arsenal team mate Adebayor more often. In late November 2007, he once again scored against Sevilla in the Champions League, this time netting an early goal in a match that Arsenal eventually lost 3–1. Eduardo finally managed to find his place in Arsenal's starting line-up in the Premiership over Christmas and New Year period, scoring his first two Premiership goals in a 4–1 win at Everton on 29 December 2007, first levelling the score and then putting Arsenal 2–1 up in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. On New Year's Day 2008, he opened the scoring after only 72 seconds of the match against West Ham United; Arsenal went on to win 2–0. On the first weekend of the new year, he had a successful FA Cup debut as Arsenal faced Championship side Burnley on the road, first scoring the opening goal early on, and then setting up a second for Nicklas Bendtner midway through the second half. In the following three matches in January, he set up three more goals, providing two assists and winning a penalty. He went on to help Arsenal to return to the top of the Premier League in early February, scoring a skilful over-the-shoulder flick in 3–1 away victory over Manchester City and assisting Philippe Senderos for an early goal in 2–0 win over Blackburn at the Emirates.