I'm sure this came up before, but does anyone know what number Edu is wearing for Brazil? I've seen him in 11 & 17, but does he have an assigned number. I want to pick up my new Brazillian Jersey and don't know which number to get. With my luck I'll get the wrong one. I guess I could get one without a number, but I want to show my support for Edu. Dave P.
No set number as of yet since he has only a handful of appearances. I was looking into getting a Brazil with Edu on it, as well, but I'm going to wait until his place is settled.
There are no assigned numbers for Brazilian players. More often than not it goes by position but then the midfield and forwards can vary a lot. He wore 17 in the games he was a sub and 11 when he was a starter. However, if Ronaldinho Gaúcho had been playing he would have claimed the 11, and Edu might even have ended up with the 10, although maybe the 8 or the 7, who knows. Just pick a game you liked him in or say the Copa America tournament (starting July 6) and go with his number during that game/tournament.
Thanks for the info. I have the 94 jersey & 98, but never picked up the 02 so I thought I'd get one and have Edu put on it. When I bought my last jersey I picked it up in a sportshop in Brazil and the price was really reasonable. Now they run with numbers about $80. Does anyone know where I can get an official jersey with numbers for less? I see the fake ones all the time on Ebay, but would never consider picking one up from there. I know the jersey is only good until pre-WC06 but I like the style of this one.
What and go back to Gilberto? Write out a hundred times: We are not in the business of selling our best players We are not in the business of selling our best players ...
i truly hope AW starts the season out with Vieira and Edu manning the middle of our midfield~ please say the gilberto experiment has past and he can be used as defensive help to close games out... could be a breakout season for Edu, IMO~
Edu was good last season, but I still think Gilberto is better partner for Vieira. No many people appreciate what he does for the team, yeah sure he gets light headed in the oppositions area but his defensive work is much needed in our style of play, kinda balances the tactic.. And oh yeah...we do better when Gilberto plays..
Both Gilberto & Edu have their pros and cons -- neither the complete product or perfect foil for Vieira. They've both earned the right to get their fair share of starts, but neither has impressed in the way to make them an automatic selection. I say, accentuate the positives... I'd like to see Edu get the nod when we know the other side is going to close up shop (most games at home) and Gilberto when we face a bit more capable attack (most games away).
That sounds just about right. I personally like Edu better as a player, but they both have strengths that can be utilized to help the team win more games. I'd hate to see Edu go to Barca or anywhere else. He's getting good playing time for Brazil which will help him as we get into the new season. 17 is a good choice for his number - even if he doesn't wear it again, it's his Arsenal number so I think I'll go with that.
That's a very interesting idea. I admit that I like Edu a bit better and that Gilberto has to be about the least creative Brazilian I've ever seen (has anyone really checked his passport? ). That being said, I realize that Gilberto does many important things that don't always show up on a tv broadcast that for the most part follows the ball and not off the ball movement. I noticed at the match I attended that Gilberto does a good job of getting into the other teams passing lanes and disrupting plays and/or runs before they start. He doesn't just cover Vieira's runs forward but also Pires' and Ljungberg's at various times as well. I know others that attend matches regularly (unlike me, unfortunately) have said the same thing. Perhaps a system like you're suggesting would work although it seems that Gilberto would get far fewer starts seeing as how most teams "close up shop" against us home or away. I don't know what the perfect solution is...I admit.
Gilberto can get his interceptions in and look decent against the lesser lights of the Premiership, but against the better sides, they just pass around him. Edu has much more bite in the tackle too, much better suited to the English game and he is infinitely better going forward. I see Vieira and Edu as the first choice partnership next season with Gilberto and Parlour backing them up.
Young master Cesc has some learning to do yet. Let's give him some time eh? Maybe for the first season at Ashburton Grove, a new beginning and all that.
Wenger said last season that he would be getting more chances in 04/05. Maybe he's progressing faster than we think. Maybe he'll show up in the preseason.
More likely he'll be a regular in the League Cup this time around and maybe get a game in the FA Cup as Wenger is downgrading it's importance next year. I can't see him getting anywhere near the Premiership side unless we have a serious spate of injuries and suspensions. As you're allowed about 94 players on the bench for the Champions League, we might see him there too, but I can't see him getting on the field.
Let me put on my devil's advocate hat for just a second...do you think there is any correlation whatsoever between the facts that Gilberto was not on the pitch for either of the two significant losses this season..ie., ManYoo in the FA Cup and the 2nd leg against Chelsea in the CL? [Disclaimer: I am not saying there IS a correlation...just interested in others' thoughts. ]
ya yossarian, we would of lost by more if he was out there... too bad edu's chip in that FA cup match wasnt just a smidge lower~ *sigh*
phishy, you know I'm deeply entrenched in the Edu fan club camp....just trying to rabble-rouse...see what other people think. Slow day.....