The Birmingham defender has been pilloried for his horror tackle that broke Gunners striker Eduardo da Silva's leg. But this much-publicised incident genuinely was out of character for a defender whose previous behaviour on the field has been almost exclusively within the laws.
Let me start by saying I am an Arsenal fan. Anyone who has read any of my previous articles for Sportingo will be well aware of that.
I, like every Gunners fan, and indeed any right-minded football fan, wish Eduardo de Silva a speedy recovery following that sickening tackle on Saturday afternoon.
I am in agreement with Arsene Wenger when he said that it’s easy for managers and fans to claim after the event that the culprit “isn’t that type of player”. This is usually used as a catch-all term and tends to mean the complete opposite. However, in Martin Taylor’s case, I think that is indeed the case.
The look on his face when he realised the extent of his mistimed, not malicious, tackle said it all for me. He clearly looked despondent and for me it seemed far more like a challenge that a defender makes for one of two reasons. Firstly, the Birmingham defender was simply startled by the speed of the oncoming attacker, whose quick feet were too much for the defender to comprehend. Hence the mistimed challenge.
Secondly the fact the tackle occurred so early in the game counts for a great deal as it can take a good few minutes for a player to accustom himself to the game and clearly this was partly to blame for the misfortune that befell the Croatian international.
If anyone is unconvinced by any of these arguments, a quick check at the Taylor's previous behaviour on the football pitch should settle their minds. In his previous 74 league appearances the 28-year-old defender had only been booked three times, which is a terrific record for a player in his position on the field.
His only other red card was eight-and-a-half years ago. Again this is hardly the disciplinary record of a persistent offender.
Wenger has stepped back from his original statements which were understandable given the emotional afternoon he had experienced. He is quoted as saying: "I feel that my comments about Martin Taylor were excessive. I said what I did in the heat of the moment. It was a highly emotional afternoon and we were all shocked by the injury."
All those calling for a massive ban for the former Blackburn Rovers man should think first before condemning Taylor. I am sure he is more than aware of the repercussions of the challenge he made and any footballing witch-hunt is both unnecessary and unwanted by this Arsenal fan. Get well soon, Eduardo.
