Arsenal's Eduardo da Silva's first interview since joining the club as a replacemnt for Henry appeared on the clubs website. Arsenal paraded new signing Eduardo da Silva on Tuesday afternoon. Afterwards Arsenal TV Online got the first interview with the 24-year-old Croatia international.
First of all Eduardo what does it feel like to finally be an Arsenal player?
Well for me it is a great honour. Not only for me but for any football player it is an honour to play for Arsenal. I was lucky it was me that they chose to sign. So I am ever so happy and I hope to fulfil their expectations.
First of all Eduardo what does it feel like to finally be an Arsenal player?
Well for me it is a great honour. Not only for me but for any football player it is an honour to play for Arsenal. I was lucky it was me that they chose to sign. So I am ever so happy and I hope to fulfil their expectations.
When did you first know Arsenal were interested and how quickly did the move happen?
I learned that Arsenal were interested five days ago. My agent and the directors of Zagreb told me so it was all settled. I came here to sign the contract. That is it.
I learned that Arsenal were interested five days ago. My agent and the directors of Zagreb told me so it was all settled. I came here to sign the contract. That is it.
How quickly do you think you will adapt to the English style of game?
Hopefully as soon as possible. It is a bit different to the way the play in Croatia. But I hope it will be soon. The stadiums are bigger, there are more people watching — that is the one of the great things in England. I will give my best to adapt to the groups and the stadiums as quickly I can.
Did you speak to Croatia coach Slavan Bilic about the move?
Hopefully as soon as possible. It is a bit different to the way the play in Croatia. But I hope it will be soon. The stadiums are bigger, there are more people watching — that is the one of the great things in England. I will give my best to adapt to the groups and the stadiums as quickly I can.
Did you speak to Croatia coach Slavan Bilic about the move?
He had a long career in England and knows the physical demands of the Premier League.He told me everything about the English game. He is the Croatian national coach so he can give me advice on my decisions. But there is not only him. I have other friends who have played in England like Branco Strupar who played at Derby County. He's also a great friend and he explained English football to me. So I am fully prepared to face this difficult challenge.
What differences do you think you will find between the Croatian League and the Premiership?
The difference is mainly the stadiums and the supporters. Not every game is packed in Croatia. The physical side of the League is pretty much the same. It is football after all. Technically it is the same too. The only difference is the discipline and the concentration. That is the only thing where I think England has an advantage on Croatia
The difference is mainly the stadiums and the supporters. Not every game is packed in Croatia. The physical side of the League is pretty much the same. It is football after all. Technically it is the same too. The only difference is the discipline and the concentration. That is the only thing where I think England has an advantage on Croatia
Did you watch a lot of Premier League football when you were in Croatia?
I always followed it on cable television. They always showed the games.
I always followed it on cable television. They always showed the games.
You will be seen as the replacement for Thierry Henry. Those are big boots to fill. Will it be daunting?
Thierry Henry is one of the best attacking players in the world. He left his mark here, scored many goals and proved himself. I am arriving now but when I step on the pitch I want to do the best I can for myself, for Arsenal and also for the fans.
Thierry Henry is one of the best attacking players in the world. He left his mark here, scored many goals and proved himself. I am arriving now but when I step on the pitch I want to do the best I can for myself, for Arsenal and also for the fans.
Is Thierry someone you have looked up to during your career?
I admired him. He is an all-around player — strong, quick and technically very good, headers, everything. I can see no faults in him as a player. I want to work towards that but I’ll need to work hard. Bilic said that you would be a success because you play in an ‘Arsenal way’.
I admired him. He is an all-around player — strong, quick and technically very good, headers, everything. I can see no faults in him as a player. I want to work towards that but I’ll need to work hard. Bilic said that you would be a success because you play in an ‘Arsenal way’.
What do you think he means by that?
Yes that style is my style. Arsenal play with the ball on the floor. It is all about passing the ball rather than playing long balls forward. That is why I should fit in well.
Yes that style is my style. Arsenal play with the ball on the floor. It is all about passing the ball rather than playing long balls forward. That is why I should fit in well.
How important was Arsène Wenger in attracting you to Arsenal ?
He is well-known internationally as an coach. He likes to experiment with young players and always give everybody a chance. He is very confident. You can see he is an excellent coach. I believe that he has had a very long career with Arsenal. It will be an honour to have him as my coach.
What do you think convinced him to sign you for Arsenal?
I think he liked my football. I played lots of games for Croatia and Zagreb last year. I think that is what happened. It was a very good season for me.
What were your thoughts on Arsenal when you played against them last year?
Last year we met them at the qualifying stages. We were hoping to get a Russian or Ukrainian team that we could have coped better with. When we learned we had Arsenal everybody put their hands on their heads. We thought we’d do our best and we’d have to look to the Champions League next year. We finished the first half 0-0 in Zagreb and we were pretty happy. We thought we'd try to hold out. But we conceded one goal and then the second. We knew it would make a difference. Arsenal is a great club. Dinamo in Croatia are also a great club but we need more concentration and discipline.
Did you realise that your goal at Emirates Stadium in the second leg was historic? It was the first in European competition.
I did not know that. I only learned it afterwards. Before that game I knew that Arsenal had only played against Aston Villa and there had been a testimonial game for Dennis Bergkamp. So I did not think about it but then they told me it was the first European goal in the new stadium.
Do you think that goal, and the one against England, pushed you into the limelight in the eyes of the English clubs?
I don’t know but surely that has to have something to do with it Especially the goal against England in Zagreb - that was a very special goal. The three points we got were really important to us in the European Championships.
Do you have a football hero. Someone you looked up to when you were younger?
Romario. He is the guy I look up to. To me he is an idol. There was no other like him.
Finally, do you have a message of the Arsenal fans?
Well, I’d just like to say that I will try my best for everyone and try to win as many trophies as possible with the Club.
He is well-known internationally as an coach. He likes to experiment with young players and always give everybody a chance. He is very confident. You can see he is an excellent coach. I believe that he has had a very long career with Arsenal. It will be an honour to have him as my coach.
What do you think convinced him to sign you for Arsenal?
I think he liked my football. I played lots of games for Croatia and Zagreb last year. I think that is what happened. It was a very good season for me.
What were your thoughts on Arsenal when you played against them last year?
Last year we met them at the qualifying stages. We were hoping to get a Russian or Ukrainian team that we could have coped better with. When we learned we had Arsenal everybody put their hands on their heads. We thought we’d do our best and we’d have to look to the Champions League next year. We finished the first half 0-0 in Zagreb and we were pretty happy. We thought we'd try to hold out. But we conceded one goal and then the second. We knew it would make a difference. Arsenal is a great club. Dinamo in Croatia are also a great club but we need more concentration and discipline.
Did you realise that your goal at Emirates Stadium in the second leg was historic? It was the first in European competition.
I did not know that. I only learned it afterwards. Before that game I knew that Arsenal had only played against Aston Villa and there had been a testimonial game for Dennis Bergkamp. So I did not think about it but then they told me it was the first European goal in the new stadium.
Do you think that goal, and the one against England, pushed you into the limelight in the eyes of the English clubs?
I don’t know but surely that has to have something to do with it Especially the goal against England in Zagreb - that was a very special goal. The three points we got were really important to us in the European Championships.
Do you have a football hero. Someone you looked up to when you were younger?
Romario. He is the guy I look up to. To me he is an idol. There was no other like him.
Finally, do you have a message of the Arsenal fans?
Well, I’d just like to say that I will try my best for everyone and try to win as many trophies as possible with the Club.
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