(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-02-27 09:58

Arsenal's Eduardo da Silva has forgiven Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor for the tackle that left him with a fractured left fibula and dislocated ankle.

Arsenal's Eduardo Da Silva suffers a serious leg injury after being tackled by Birmingham City's Martin Taylor during their English Premier League soccer match at St Andrews in Birmingham, central England February 23, 2008. [Agencies]

The Brazilian-born Croatia international faces up to nine months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on Saturday. He suffered the injury during the weekend's Premier League match that ended in a 2-2 draw.

"I forgive Martin. It hurt like hell but I'm fine now. I know he did not do it on purpose," Eduardo was quoted as saying in Tuesday's Sun newspaper.

"I was horrified when I saw how my leg looked at first and wondered how it would all end. But I will be back."

The striker, who turned 25 on Monday, refused to get too disheartened.

"These things can happen in football. I see this as a risk of professional football," he said. "Sometimes you go up, sometimes you go down."

Arsenal said he would be released from hospital in a few days.