Just Before the Break

I'd be remiss if I didn't post something on what was surely the most discussed soccer topic of the week. Arsenal will be minus one gun for the remainder of their campaign as their fans and Croatians mourn the severe -- potentially career-ending -- leg break suffered by up-and-coming international Eduardo on Saturday at the foot of Birmingham defender Martin Taylor. TV stations opted not to replay what witnesses described as a "horrific", "gruesome", and "sickening" injury. There's been much debate as to the proper punishment for Taylor's challenge which currently stands at a 3 match ban. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger initially called for Taylor to be "banned for life" but has since retracted those comments. Taylor is said to be "shattered" by the break and a review of his foul history bears out the notion that this tackle was more clumsy than malicious. Still, purveyors of the beautiful game will site this as an example where brute force was deliberately applied to stop dazzling skill, and as such, an example should be made out of Taylor. As for the pair involved in the accident, Taylor has visited Eduardo in the hospital and Eduardo has unequivocally forgiven him. Class on both sides. Just be glad I didn't post the image that immediately followed this one.