After the horror of last weekend, it's nice just to be thinking about a football match again. As ever, best wishes are being sent to Eduardo, but the best thing the rest of the players could do now is win for their stricken teammate.

Over the past couple of weeks a few of the players have been struggling for form, and while league results have been good on the whole, the performances haven't been the slickest. Tomorrow, I can see that changing.

You will see a more determined and focused Arsenal side than you've seen for a while, and they will have the bit between their teeth, because they will want to show a positive reaction to the tackle and to the dropping of points. Villa could be on the wrong end of a backlash.

However, Martin O'Neill is a canny manager, and will be prepared for anything. I have no doubt he'll look to contain a furious Arsenal, hoping to frustrate the players into losing their focus. It's a big ask, and I hope it's a plan that falls flat.

As for team news, Diaby returns, which means he can occupy the left flank while Hleb works his magic on the right. That leaves only one question, who will partner Adebayor up front? Bendtner is the obvious option, but I have to agree with the prediction made over at Gunnerblog, that Walcott will start behind the Togolese powerhouse, perhaps switching with Hleb as and when they see fit. After his brace last weekend, he'll be itching to get back in the thick of things.

And make no mistake about it, we'll need some goals from young Theo between now and the end of the season. Adebayor has been carrying the goalscoring burden for a while, hiding the fact that since the turn of the year, goals have once again dried up from midfield, the early season spree from Hleb, Rosicky and Fabregas in particular having vanished. If Adebayor goes through a lean patch (and he's due one), the likes of Walcott and Bendtner need to step up in Eduardo's absence.

And then there is one more name to consider - Robin van Persie. Almost a forgotten man having played so little this season, he could be vital in the run in, if kept fresh. While legs tire around him, he could get a couple of partial games under his belt before really making an impact. Many people are predicting that the Milan tie could be his return, but I think that'll be too early. It would be a mistake to rush him back when his return could swing the title balance back our way.

Let's make March a good month.

That was the weekend that was.

The media reporting of the Eduardo incident was painfully predictable, but that didn't make it any less disappointing. Rather than address the issue of dangerous tackles in the sport, and the widely held belief that a three match 'catch all' ban is unwise, they chose to focus on Wenger's comments, those very same comments that he retracted once he got out of the heat of the moment situation.

Now, Wenger's words went too far, and he's admitted as much. Perhaps too late for some of the Sunday tabloids, but why are we still reading about them in the Monday papers? He's retracted them, folks. Move on.

And with that, so will I, back to where the focus of the stories should be - the challenge itself.

Martin Taylor, to his immense credit, has acted impeccably since the challenge. While the tackle (if you can even call it that) was appalling and probably intended to let Eduardo know he was there, there is no doubt that he was as shocked as anyone at the damage he caused, perhaps more so as the perpetrator. He didn't contest the red card, hasn't since, walked off the field looking as shellshocked as any of the Arsenal players, and has since chosen to visit Eduardo in person rather than embarking on a PR mission through the press. He's earned respect for the dignified and correct way he's conducted himself since Saturday lunchtime. It seems he really isn't 'that sort of player'.

But no matter what the retrospective regret, the three match ban is still laughable. I realise that they are the rules, but the rules are ridiculous and need changing.

On top of Taylor's sincerity, there is one more piece of good news, and that is the determination of the injured party to return, whenever that may be.

"I am unsure at the moment of the extent of the injury and how long I will be out of action for, but I know that I won't be able to play for Arsenal for the rest of the season or be ready in time for the Euros this summer."

"But I'm not worried about that. My concentration and determination is on making as quick a recovery as possible. I am determined to overcome this injury."

His comments show the right sense of perspective - he must be gutted to miss the run in of his first Premiership season, and an international tournament where he could've shined, but instead of dwelling on that he's focusing on just getting back. And it's nice to see fans of all clubs wishing for the same thing.

Unfortunately, while these incidents can bring out the best in some, they bring out the worst in others. The media are always overblown, but they're paid to be sensationalist so I guess we get used to it, but Stephen Kelly has lost every ounce of credibility with his delusional defence of the tackle:

"I don't think you can send a player off for that. Tiny has committed himself. He has gone in with one foot, slid along the ground."

I agree that he went in with one foot, but the other two statements are complete nonsense. You can, and should, send a player off for that, because such tackles have been outlawed precisely for the reason we saw on Saturday. And you've all seen the pictures, I've posted them already and don't feel like doing it again, but if you can claim Taylor slid along the ground then you're as much of a fool as Kelly.

I can sympathise with tackles when the defender slides in, and the foot bounces up off the turf into an opponents shin. Those are tackles performed correctly but ending unfortunately. But Taylor's leg was coming down on to Eduardo's shin. The ground didn't enter into it.

It is a shame that idiots like Stephen Kelly can detract from the impressive way that Taylor has conducted himself. You won't hear him complain about his red card or ban, and I also suspect that if his suspension was extended the only bleating you'd hear would come from his teammates. I didn't expect to be crediting him so highly, only two days after the challenge, but am pleasantly surprised.

If only his teammates had the same class. And don't get me started on Garth Crooks.

Arsene Wenger has released a statement saying that his comments regarding Martin Taylor, in which he said he thought the defender should never play football again, were 'said in the heat of the moment, and were excessive on reflection'.

Admirable though it is to retract some strong words, I suspect he also realised that without the softening of his words, he could have been seen as whining in the media who are itching to take a pop at Arsenal. Witness the BBC or Sky coverage of the match, where both Andy Gray and Garth Crooks claimed that the tackle was not necessarily worthy even of a yellow card.

While the tackle may have been badly mistimed and ugly rather than designed to have the end result, it was still a highly dangerous tackle that could've been withdrawn before impact. It was still over the ball. And over the ball tackles are automatic red cards. Tell me, how can so called experts see this and claim that the red card was harsh?

Credit to McLeish though. I said earlier that I hoped he'd admit that tackle was bad after seeing replays, and he did at least confess that it deserved the red card. So if a player's own manager recognises it, how can the analysts not?

These tackles have been outlawed because they can break legs. Today proved why referees have been right to clamp down on them, no matter what Garth Crooks says about 'physicality being removed from the game'. These are the livelihoods of young men, and we are obliged to protect them.

So credit to McLeish, and credit to Wenger for toning down his comments. But I bet if you asked whether he thought a three match ban was fair, he'd scoff.

If you really want to clamp down on dangerous tackles, you have to classify them differently to some of the innocuous acts we see red cards given for. If a player is sent off for a dangerous tackle, the by all means start with three matches, but extend it in bad cases. It has already happened in the Champions League this season, when Benfica's Binya got six matches for a shocking challenge. Why not apply the same approach here?

I hope Martin Taylor feels suitably contrite tonight. He should do - he has put the career of a young fellow professional in serious jeopardy.

Birmingham 2 (McFadden 28, pen 90) Arsenal 2 (Walcott 50, 55)

There is only one place to start, and that it with Martin Taylor, a man who, according to manager Alex McLeish, 'doesn't have it in his make up to produce a malicious tackle', and 'didn't think he'd made a lot of contact' with Eduardo's leg.

I beg to differ.

(A nod to both Arseblog and Gunnerblog for the image).

Watching it live, I wondered how dirty the challenge really was, as the Arsenal players didn't seem to get overly angry. But within seconds, the reality was clear - one glance at Eduardo's leg and there was only one focus of their worry. You only had to see the look on Adebayor or Fabregas' face to see how shocked they were. By the time they'd stopped frantically beckoning for Gary Lewin, Taylor was down the tunnel.

The above image shows how indefensible the tackle is - over the top with only one possible outcome. If you want to see the end result, and I warn you in the strongest sense that you should only click this link if you have a particularly strong stomach, then look here - again thanks to Gunnerblog for the link.

Those who have seen the full extent of the injury now understand what I mean when I say his career is under threat.

Credit to the Birmingham fans at this point - at some clubs chants would've broken out against Arsenal and Eduardo, but they kept a respectful atmosphere, and then warmly applauded as the Croatian was stretchered to hospital.

For the rest of the first half, I found myself not caring about the match itself, a feeling that seemed to be present in the players too. Flamini conceded a soft free kick that McFadden superbly buried. Some say Almunia should've saved it, but to be honest he did well to get near it.

Our attacks were aimless, and understandably there was no bite or energy in the display. Half time was desperately needed. Whatever Wenger said during the break (and one suspects that it was along the lines of 'win the match and then worry about him'), it worked, with some sustained pressure forcing Taylor (the excellent keeper, rather than the dismissed and disgraced centre back) into good saves from Cesc and Hleb. Finally, Adebayor jumped above him, and Walcott prodded in the loose ball.

Theo is a man who relies entirely on confidence at this early stage of his career. Against Slavia earlier this season, he terrorised them after scoring his first goal, and today was the same, as he gave Murphy a torrid second half, after looking poor in the first. He also scored what should've been the winner, picking the ball up midway through the half, skipping past a couple of defenders and ignoring Bendtner's excellent run to comprehensively bury the ball with his left foot. In the first half, he wouldn't have taken the chance on.

At this point, a rousing rendition of 'We're gonna win for Eduardo' went up around the stadium - wonderful stuff, but unfortunately, they were wrong.

Chances were made and missed for the rest of the half, with Adebayor particularly culpable. In a way, I'm glad his run of scoring in consecutive matches in now over, as he seemed obsessed with equalling Alan Smith's record of eight league matches, consistently refusing to pass, most glaringly when Bendtner would've had a simple tap in to seal the match.

And for that, we were made to pay, but also thanks to an appalling refereeing decision. Clichy controlled the ball in the area, didn't spot Parnaby, and took the time to look around for options. Suddenly aware of the winger's presence, he made a last ditch tackle, and successfully got the ball, but Mike Dean pointed to the spot, and the points were shared.

But there was still time for one act of stupidity. Furious at the penalty, Gallas watched it from the Birmingham half, seemingly protesting. What if Almunia had saved it? The captain then got himself booked putting his studs through the advertising hoardings, before sullenly sitting on the pitch long after the other players had gone down the tunnel.

To me, he was being utterly stupid, and giving everyone a chance to claim that we're imploding. There are more positive ways of channelling anger, and with his frustrated kick on Nani last week fresh in the memory, he is certainly not leading by example at the moment. As barely the only player in the squad with the experience of winning the Premiership, he needs to inspire. Sort it out William.

But back to Martin Taylor, who will now serve what is, in the context of things, a laughable three match suspension, while Eduardo suffers on the sidelines. Similar to when Dan Smith destroyed Abou Diaby's ankle a couple of years ago, Wenger is understandably furious.

Eduardo's season is over, his Euro 2008 dreams are over, and it seems likely his 2008 football days are over. And that's being optimistic. His injury is up there with some of the worst we've seen, along with David Busst or more recently, Alan Smith. The former never came back, the latter took a year and a half and is not the player he was.

Martin Taylor, meanwhile, will be eligible to play two games in March.

It has irked me for a long time that dangerous tackles and violent conduct all receive the same mandatory three match ban. Pushing someone lightly in the face gets the same punishment as potentially ending another professional's career. It must be looked at.

Because in cases like this, Taylor should be banned for a lot more than a pathetic three matches. It was a disgraceful challenge, and I only hope that Alex McLeish has more class than to defend his player once he's seen the replays. It is utterly indefensible.

Eduardo, get well soon. Nothing else matters today.

Arsenal 0 Milan 0

The scoreline suggests a dull game, it was anything but.

Milan arrived in town looking to keep a clean sheet, and perhaps nick a bonus goal on the break. Their chances increased after Toure went off with a calf injury inside five minutes, but Senderos stepped in and played superbly to nullify any Milan threat.

After that, the action was all at the other end, with a series of 'so nearly' moments, usually dictated by the boot of Fabregas, who was back to his creative best in the centre.

Crosses were landing in between strikers, shots were being fired wide or straight at the keeper, and as injury time approached, we could claim that 1-0 would be fair. It should've ended that way, when Walcott's devilish cross in the dying seconds found Adebayor, who headed a sitter against the bar.

To criticise the big man would be churlish - in reality the whole team played very very well, and were denied by a combination of snatched finishing and impressive defending. The latter probably caused the former.

The positives for Arsenal are that we proved we could match and then outplay Milan. Also, a clean sheet means that an away goal will cause the Italians huge problems against a defence that has now conceded 12 times in 31 Champions League matches.

The positives for Milan are that they proved they could withstand perhaps the best attacking force in Europe. They will feel confident that a solitary goal will now win them the tie.

Make no mistake about it - Milan are a superb team. But equally, this tie is very much alive.

And when I said earlier that the whole team played well, I meant it. Even Eboue.

Much is made of Italian defences, Milan's in particular as they favour a 1-0 victory with no extra effort expended. Equally, much is rightly made of Arsenal's attacking prowess.

But there is a common misconception in the press that our defence is shaky and liable to concede at any time. While it may not be the most famed part of our side, the figures simply don't back that claim up.

Arsenal have conceded just 12 goals in the last 30 Champions League games. Just digest that statistic for a moment - it's an astonishing record.

As well at setting a new record by going ten games without conceding two years ago, the first six matches of this campaign ended in clean sheets, with goals only being conceded once group stage qualification had been assured.

The weekend mauling of United suggests that there is a weakness there, but when you're playing against a side who excel on the wing, without your two starring full backs, you're always going to struggle. Clichy and Sagna return tonight, while Flamini, Adebayor, Denilson and Walcott are also available. Things are looking up.

So, both sides can score in a flash. Both sides have decent defences. It could be a tight one, much like Liverpool's match last night. I'd take the same result, but I have a hunch we'll get just the single goal in a 1-0 win.

Enjoy the game.

After the debacle of the weekend, there is (fortunately) no time to dwell on an appalling performance, as Milan are in town for the resumption of the Champions League tomorrow night.

When the draw was made it seemed a good one - Milan were struggling badly in the league, their side seemed to be long past it, and the were nowhere near the best side even in their city.

The last point still stands, as Inter remain unbeaten in Serie A and a major obstacle for Liverpool, who are desperate to save their abysmal season tonight, but anyone who underestimates the European champions is being foolish.

Milan live for the Champions League, especially over the past couple of seasons when, for various reasons, a league title has been unlikely. Two finals in the last three years tells it's own story, and while we all know about Kaka, there are plenty of dangers, be it from the European stage loving Inzaghi, Gilardino, Pirlo, or the tigerish Gattuso, whose midfield battle with Flamini will be fascinating.

Flamini is one of a group of players giving us reason to cheer - he, along with Adebayor, is fit to start tomorrow's game. The rest of the injury reports are sketchy, with some suggesting Clichy and Sagna will play, others claiming one or both are still unavailable.

Almunia is out, along with van Persie (of course) and Rosicky. Eboue may well start despite his antics at the weekend.

As for Milan, the starlet (and I use that word sparingly) Pato is fit again, while they are facing something of an injury crisis is goal, with both Dida and Kalac potentially out. I suspect Kalac will be fit in time. Otherwise, they are at full strength and hungry.

This could be a corker.

Man Utd 4 (Rooney 15, Fletcher 19, 74, Nani 38) Arsenal 0

For the second time in a few short weeks, Arsenal have been humiliated and dumped out of a domestic competition. There were many (myself included) who thought that the 5-1 defeat at White Hart Lane would prove to be the low point of the season, but at least that day the team seemed to care. At least that day it was largely fringe players having a shocker. At least that day we didn't have players only showing passion in petulance.

Yesterday was an absolute disaster, from start to finish. The first ten minutes were dull, as both sides started cautiously, but then United seemed to realise that they were quicker to every ball, and stepped up a gear. Rooney headed in the first when Hoyte should've done far better, and then Gallas and Cesc were particularly culpable in Fletcher adding number two. At that point, it was already game over.

With Cesc, Hleb, Gallas, Toure on the field, and finishing in the class of Eduardo available, this team is more than capable of coming back from two down, even at Old Trafford. But I defy you to find a Gooner who thought the match wasn't over after twenty minutes. The reason was simple - there was a complete lack of fight from front to back. Players were ducking out of challenges, not using their body to turn the onrushing defenders and find themselves in the space behind them, and when they did get an inch, they passed to the opposition, without bothering to chase it down afterwards.

Only one man is exempt from that particular criticism, and that's Jens Lehmann, who was professional, alert and frankly, kept the score from being doubled. But even his copybook is blotted by his abysmal distribution.

On the other end of the scale is a man who not many of us would miss if Wenger decided to get rid of him right now. With Nani scoring the third before half time, the second half was all about pride and fight, but Eboue took the situation and made it ten times worse, when he approached an aerial battle with Evra by lifting his leg and slamming his studs into Evra's thigh, who was taken out in mid air. Eboue was rightly sent off.

There were so many things to be angry about in that instant. Only a few minutes had passed in the second half, and we were trying to avoid a pasting and show United they couldn't roll over us. He ruined that. There was the passing thought that an early second half goal might give them the jitters. He killed the tie stone dead. And worst, he picked a time when we have the longest injury list I can remember in years, a time when Clichy, Sagna, Diaby and Rosicky are all absent from our flanks, and earned himself a pointless three match ban. In truth, the tie was gone, but his irresponsible actions reduces Wenger's options yet further in a busy and vital period of the season.

But you can't say we weren't warned. His histrionics have been infuriating since he arrived on the scene, and while there was no diving yesterday, that was probably because he wasn't even in the game until he forced himself out of it. At Liverpool last season he was a disgrace, he alternates between putting in dangerous tackles and making out that the innocuous tackles of others are far worse than they are. It is a miracle it has taken him into his fourth season here to get his marching orders.

But let's assess him overall - he can be skilful and clever, but most of the squad can be described that way, and at the end of the day he is now a midfielder who offers absolutely no goal threat. His best asset is his crossing, but even that has been woeful this season. Add to that less than spectacular CV his disgraceful attitude, and I simply cannot believe that he doesn't make some of his more professional teammates want to throttle him.

Back to the game, and Fletcher's second goal in the second half gave the final score a more realistic look. It was every bit the hammering that the scoreline suggests, with us not managing to make van der Sar make a save in the entire match.

It is hard to take positives, even though the FA Cup was clearly down the list of priorities. A defeat was almost expected with the squad so patched together, but no-one expected this. Alan Hansen was, for once, right at half time - it really did look like there was only team who cared about the result.

Injuries or no injuries, low priority or not, that simply isn't acceptable. Mistakes are forgivable. A lack of effort isn't.

At Spurs, we were humiliated, but bounced back with a sequence of wins that has seen the team achieve a five point lead at the top of the league. The best, and only answer to this performance is to bounce back again.

Give it your all against Milan, boys. And Wenger, please don't play that idiot on the right flank.

All thoughts that Wenger might rest a few players ahead of tomorrow's game with United have been cast aside: he'll do well just to get a team out.

Almunia, Senderos, Sagna, Clichy, Djourou, Diaby, Rosicky, Denilson, Song, van Persie and Walcott are all likely to be out, while Cesc and Toure are doubts. Adebayor may still get a rest ensuring that much of our strength in depth is wiped out entirely.

It's strange - so many of these players are out with slight niggles, so it's anyone's guess who might be back for Milan next week. Only Denilson and van Persie may not be back within a fortnight, but with a few having muscular injuries you never know how long they'll be gone.

To be honest, I'm going into this cup tie with the same attitude I had ahead of the Spurs Carling Cup semi - it'd be fantastic to win it, but a defeat really wouldn't be the end of the world. Ferguson is even suggesting that he'll rest a few too, although I imagine Ronaldo will play and give Traore the biggest test of his young career.

It promises to be an entertaining affair, as a replay is the last thing either team needs, so the BBC are likely to see a result. United have to be the favourites.

Elsewhere, Alisher Usmanov has reportedly upped his stake by a nominal amount to 24%. With the lockdown agreed, and Kroenke seemingly against him, he'll struggle to add much more than further nominal amounts, so I'm not convinced we should be too worried about this move. That said, the man clearly isn't easily discouraged.

You may or may not have heard about how his team of lawyers took a series of Arsenal related sites offline for bringing up questions about his past some time back. If not, take a look here. It's clear that we don't want this man anywhere near our football club, and the good news is he isn't getting anywhere fast.

The football is more important, as success on the field brings resistance to change off it. With that, enjoy the game tomorrow.

Transfer talk never stops in the papers, where journalists seem to pick a random name from one basket and a random club from another, making a headline with a fanciful price tag to boot. But over the last couple of days it has gone past amusing to just plain ridiculous.

Yesterday Arsenal 'were linked' (which is paper talk for any transfer story that doesn't involve quotes, facts or any basis in reality) with Egyptian keeper Essam El Hadary. While the African Cup of Nations showed us that he's quite a talent, he is also 36 years old, roughly twice the age of Wenger's typical signings. To make matters more insane, the Mail actually claim that Arsenal 'will be offering 15m'.

All this led to the quote of the day, from his club director Adil Al-Qaeyi, who said:

"If such a bid is tabled, we will surely consider it."

I bet you would. 15m for a 36 year old? What have these 'journalists' been smoking?

I thought it was a one off. But today, the Mail (yes, them again) claimed that we'll be signing Lilliam Thuram in the summer, purely because he and Arsene Wenger have a good relationship. How old is Thuram? You've guessed it, 36.

The way I see it, journalists have a few options. They can:

a) Try to be factual, and write for the Guardian

b) Talk complete nonsense, and work for the Sun or the Mirror

c) Talk complete nonsense, but pretend to be respectable by working for the Telegraph, or

d) Shout about Johnny Foreigner and work for the Mail.

But I actually thought those who made up the ridiculous transfer rumours involving 'a friend' or 'a source close to the club' considered that they've have to be at least partly realistic, so that the dumbest of fans would be taken in. I don't even think a six year old would believe this tripe.

In other news, Barcelona want Wenger. Yeah, well, I want a big house in Barbados. We can all dream.

Finally, Cesc is negotiating a new contract. In more shoddy reporting, most media outlets are claiming that he will be extending his stay, even though the quotes just suggest he's getting a pay rise.

Honestly, how do journalists get away with being so appalling?