If you look in the record books it will say Eduardo started his Arsenal career on July 3, 2007. In fact it began yesterday.
Arsène Wenger was at Soho Square in the afternoon putting forward the Croatian’s case over his work permit application. The Arsenal manager then flew to the Netherlands to guide his team through their opening game of the Amsterdam Tournament.
An hour or so before kick-off news filtered through that Eduardo had been granted his papers. An hour or so after kick-off the 24-year-old nodded home his first strike for his new club.
“Yes, Eduardo got his work permit today and celebrated with his first goal,” said Wenger after the 2-1 win over Lazio.
“When we got the news you could see it was important to him because there was relief on his face.
“He could have scored two or three in the game tonight. He is good in the air for a small guy and could have got another header too.
“I am pleased because it is always good that this period [without a goal] does not last too long. Otherwise people start to question your capability to score.”