Arsenal-Sunderland Preview

Nov 19, 2009 - 5:29 PM CHRIS TUPLING STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Arsenal striker Eduardo has promised Arsene Wenger he will fill the void left by Robin van Persie against Sunderland on Saturday and during the Dutchman's injury lay-off.

Van Persie has dealt Arsenal's Premier League title hopes a blow after being ruled out for up to two months after damaging ankle ligaments playing for his country.

Eduardo, who this week signed a new contract keeping him at the Emirates Stadium until 2014, says he is ready to play a major role in the Gunners' trophy bid after battling back from a broken leg.

The Croatian international said: "I am very pleased to have signed a new long contract with the club. I'm very happy and I hope to stay at Arsenal for as long as I can.

"This period is good for me now. I feel strong in my body and I feel ready to play 90 minutes every three days if it's needed.

"I went to Croatia last week and everybody was telling me Arsenal play the best football in Europe at the moment.

"I agree with that. We feel we are strong now this season and we're all going to give everything to win trophies."

Wenger is also confident Eduardo can fill van Persie's goalscoring boots after praising the way he has fought back from his injury nightmare.

The Frenchman said: "Eduardo is a special player with huge talent. We are so happy he has committed his future to Arsenal.

"He is a human being full of courage, bravery and commitment.

"His full recovery from injury is testament to Eduardo's character and we look forward to enjoying his performances in an Arsenal shirt for a long time to come."

Injury-hit Arsenal will also be without Abou Diaby, Kieran Gibbs, Gael Clichy, Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson and Johan Djourou.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce paid tribute to Gunners boss Wenger for helping launch his own managerial career.

Bruce said: "I get on well with Arsene and, of all the managers, he's probably helped me the most.

"He helped me get promoted with Birmingham by giving me three players on loan in one season \2013 Nicklas Bendtner, Fabrice Muamba and Sebastian Larsson \2013 and I'll always be grateful for that.

"They were arguably my three best players that season, so they had a massive influence on getting the club up.

"Arsenal are an exceptionally young, gifted team and the fella in charge is bordering on a genius.

"He's produced team after team, sold player after player and yet always managed to find other players to take their place.

"He's quite an incredible manager and, with his current crop of players, the future looks very, very healthy indeed for Arsenal.

"He's got to be up there with the greats because of how his teams play and the way he keeps on producing players and teams."

Sunderland have doubts over the fitness of midfielder Bolo Zenden and John Mensah while goalkeeper Craig Gordon and Lee Cattermole are definitely out.