RAUL JIMENEZ is in a “comfortable” condition after surgery following his sickening clash of heads with David Luiz.
Wolves have released a statement this morning giving an update on his condition – and the news is positive.
The match was forced to be stopped for 10 minutes while he received medical care.
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
SHEAR DISBELIEF
Alan Shearer has stated that action must be taken immediately to review concussion protocols after David Luiz returned to the pitch following his collision with Raul Jimenez.
He said: “If David Luiz has passed all the protocols like Arsenal say he has, how on earth is he allowed back on to the pitch with a wound that is dripping down his face?
“We’re talking about players’ welfare here. Football’s protocols allow someone who has a cut that is seeping through a bandage that has just been put on to carry on playing and then he has to go off again 20 minutes later because he can’t head a ball.
“Cricket does it, the NFL does it, both codes of rugby do it – they all have better protocols. We’re talking about life and death and players’ careers ending.
“They’re on about trialling concussion substitutes. What is there to trial? It’s been going on for years. It’s not acceptable.
“We’ve been having meeting after meeting after meeting. Why do they need to trial anything? Just do it. Do it now. If things needs changing after that, change it.
KLOPP OF THE POPS
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has stated he is in favour of concussion substitutions following Raul Jimenez’s clash with David Luiz.
Asked if he would be in favour of concussion subs, he said: “At that moment I didn’t think about a rule change, I was just sitting there for 10 minutes hoping that they would both get up without any issues, but that didn’t happen.
“I hope Raul Jimenez is as good as possible now, I heard he had surgery. I wish him and David Luiz all the best.
“I know we have concussion protocols and I’m pretty sure Arsenal did that. I’m not sure any rule would help in that moment because the player can play on.
“But, yes, it makes sense that we can do things like this, of course.”
STITCHED UP
David Luiz required seven stitches after his sickening clash of heads with Raul Jimenez but Arsenal insist he was not concussed.
The Gunners are adamant they followed all protocols and guidelines were correctly followed.
Club doctor Gary O’Driscoll, a leading sport’s consultant on concussion who worked with the British and Irish Lions, made the call after Luiz answered all questions correctly.
He showed no signs of concussion and Luiz passed every part of the protocol.
Luiz was re-stitched at half-time before heading home and he was visited by a club doctor on Monday morning to check his welfare.
MASON CONTINUED
“It’s pretty clear that five minutes on the side of the pitch while there is pressure to get the game restarted is not enough to see if someone is concussed or not.
“This current protocol we have in place isn’t okay and it’s dangerous.
“I’m all for bringing concussion subs in, I think that’s a good idea, to go off into a quiet room and test a player thoroughly and properly.
“The thought of someone playing on with concussion and heading balls in an incorrect way, the damage that could potentially do long-term is not a nice thought.
“I’m very sensitive and I’m quite passionate about this subject, and I’ve spoken to many people about it over the last three years, but nothing had happened, nothing has changed.
“I hope this incident makes people realise, because you can’t keep having the same perception when people’s immediate and long-term health is in danger.”
HEAD CASE
Ryan Mason was ‘shocked’ to see Arsenal’s David Luiz continue after a sickening clash of heads with Wolves’ Raul Jimenez on Sunday afternoon, and has insisted that protocols must be changed.
The 29-year-old, who was forced to retire in 2018 after suffering a horrific collision of his own, told talkSPORT: “I was quite upset to see something like that happen on a football pitch again, it’s very concerning.
“It’s a real shame my incident didn’t change the perception; what is it really going to take for people to start realising this is something really, really serious?
“I’ll be honest, I was shocked David Luiz was allowed to play on. I’m not criticising the Arsenal doctor because there’s a protocol in place and I’m sure he’s followed that.
“But that protocol that is currently in place is not enough; it’s not enough just to have two or three minutes, it’s not enough.
“It was a bad one; the noise, the impact, the speed of the challenge as well – it was a bad one. It didn’t help that there were no fans and you could actually hear the point of contact.”
EDERSON CONTINUED
Man City goalkeeper Ederson hopes Raul Jimenez recovers quick after clashing with his Brazilian compatriot David Luiz.
He said: “Of course, I was very worried. I was watching the game.
“I have played with Raul Jimenez at Benfica.
“It was an accidental clash but when it’s head to head it’s very difficult.
“I hope he returns quickly and is back as soon as possible.”
ED CHECK
Ederson has called for substitutions to be compulsory when players suffer a serious head injury.
The Manchester City goalkeeper was on the receiving end of a boot to the face from Liverpool’s Sadio Mane back in September 2017.
He said: “When there is a blow to the head there should be a substitution whether or the player can continue.
“You might be feeling ok at the time but after the game you feel the consequences.
“All the concern and care is very important. It is a part of the body that is very fragile and needs special attention.
“It wasn’t an intentional blow, they went to compete for the ball but we know the risks of a head injury.”
ARTFUL DODGER
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted he knows one day he will be sacked.
The Spaniard has led the club to their worst start to a league season in 39 years after the 2-1 defeat to Wolves at the Emirates left the Gunners 14th in the Premier League.
Arteta said: “It’s something that the day I decided to be a coach I know that one day I will be sacked or leave the football club.
“I don’t know if it’s the day after I sign my contract, in a month’s time, a year’s time or six months’ time. I never worry about it.
“My only concern is to get the best out of the players, give the best possible service to the club and become better and better.
“I know, I repeat, in this profession, one day I will get the sack or leave but I don’t know when that is going to happen.”
GORGEOUS GEORGE
Former Arsenal manager George Graham celebrates his 76th birthday today.
The Gunners wished him well on their social media channels.
Graham was the North London side’s boss between 1986 and 1995.
JACK HAMMER BLOW
Jack Wilshere has revealed playing for a ‘smaller club’ like West Ham didn’t ‘suit’ him as he confirmed he had held transfer talks over a January move.
The former Arsenal star, 28, is currently a free agent after his £100,000-a-week deal at the Hammers was terminated by mutual consent in the summer.
Wilshere told Sky Sports: “I’m in a position now where I can make a decision based on footballing reasons.
“[I can] pick the team that I think I could fit into.
“I will have a look at the team, the players, the league they’re in and how the manager wants to play.
“I don’t think being at a smaller club like West Ham really suited me.
“There have been a few talks with clubs, but nothing that I have ever fancied quite yet.”
PARTEY POOPER
Thomas Partey will remain out of action for Arsenal’s ‘next few games’, according to Mikel Arteta.
The £45million summer signing, 27, has missed Arsenal’s last three games after he picked up a thigh injury.
He has not featured for the club since he was hauled off at half-time during the 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
And the Gunners will have to march on without him as the injury is more serious than first thought.
Speaking after the 2-1 defeat to Wolves, Arteta provided an update on Partey’s injury.
He said: “I don’t think he will be with us in the next few games.”
TAKING THE MIK
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s odds to be sacked have been slashed by the bookies.
The Gunners lost 2-1 to Wolves yesterday and sit 14th in the Premier League.
The Spaniard’s job looked safe as houses at last week, priced at 50/1 to be the next top-flight manager to lose his position.
But Sunday evening’s 2-1 home defeat to Wolves have prompted bookmakers Betfair to slash his price to just 10/1.
Arteta has overseen Arsenal’s worst start to a season since 1981.
NEITHER HERE NOR THERE
Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere would love to see his old team-mate Mesut Ozil feature under Mikel Arteta.
Wilshere is without a team after leaving West Ham and is looking to find a ‘big club’ with some interested European suitors.
He told Sky Sports News: “I think he’d be a big player in that team.
“I would love to see Ozil play in that team under Arteta but obviously that’s not happening at the moment. He could get on the ball and feed the likes of [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang and [Alexandre] Lacazette.”
WILL TO WIN
Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock had his say after the Gunners lost 2-1 to Wolves last night.
Willock – who started the game at the Emirates – said: “We’re not playing well enough as a team at the moment and we need to stick together and bounce back from this very quickly.
“I don’t think it’s clicking enough and there’s not enough fluidity in the team.
“It was very disappointing. You never want to lose at the Emirates or in any game but I feel like in the first half it wasn’t good enough.”
CAN’T GET AUBA IT
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s lack of goals is Mikel Arteta’s ‘biggest concern’ at Arsenal.
The 31-year-old striker failed to impress again on Sunday as the Gunners suffered a 2-1 defeat to Wolves.
Skipper Aubameyang was the star of the show for Arsenal last season as he chipped in with 22 Premier League goals.
But the Gabon international has managed just one goal from open play in ten matches this time around.
Since his goal against Fulham on the opening day of the season, he has only scored one penalty against Manchester United.
When asked if he was worried, Arteta said: “I think we all are because the main goalscorer of the club at the moment isn’t scoring goals, so my biggest concern is how to help him more to score goals because we need his goals.”
UN(AI)BELIEVABLE
Mikel Arteta has overseen Arsenal’s worst league start for 39 years but is still more likely to win a trophy than predecessor Unai Emery, stats show.
The Gunners went down 2-1 to Wolves last night and slipped to 14th in the Premier League.
NOT MAKING HEADWAY
Brain injury association Headway expressed anger and disappointment at football’s continued failings to protect players from concussion after Raul Jimenez fractured his skull against Arsenal in a collision with David Luiz – who played on until half-time.
Luke Griggs, deputy chief executive at Headway, said: “Only last week we strongly criticised the International Football Association Board (IFAB) for its continued procrastination in introducing concussion substitutes into the sport.
“Too often in football, we see players returning to the pitch having undergone a concussion assessment – only to be withdrawn a few minutes later when it is clear that they are not fit to continue.
“That is the very reason why we urgently need temporary concussion substitutes in football. You simply cannot take a risk with head injuries. They are not like muscular injuries where you can put a player back on ‘to see if they can it if off’. One further blow to the head when concussed could have serious consequences.
“The question that has to be asked is had the concussion substitutes rule been in place, would Luiz have been allowed to return to the field of play? Would that extra time in the treatment room have led to a different decision being made?
“The concussion protocol clearly states that ‘…anyone with a suspected concussion must be immediately removed from play’, while the sport continues to promote an ‘if in doubt, sit it out’ approach to head injuries.
“Time and time again we are seeing this rhetoric not being borne out by actions on the pitch. Something is not right. This cannot be allowed to continue. How many warnings does football need?”
FRACTURED SKULL
Raul Jimenez has had surgery after fracturing his skull in a horrific clash of heads with Arsenal’s David Luiz.
The Wolves striker was rushed to hospital by an air ambulance car after the sickening collision during last night’s Premier League win over Arsenal.
The 29-year-old regained consciousness having been knocked out cold by the initial impact – but scans revealed a fracture which specialists decided needed an operation to repair.
A Wolves statement said: “Raul is comfortable following an operation last night, which he underwent in a London hospital.
“He has since seen his partner Daniela and is now resting. He will remain under observation for a few days while he begins his recovery.
“The club would like to thank the medical staff at Arsenal, the NHS paramedics, hospital staff and surgeons who, through their skill and early response, were of such help.
“The club ask that Raul and his family are now afforded a period of space and privacy, before any further updates are provided in due course.”
‘SAD DAY FOR US’
Arsenal defender David Luiz took to Instagram after suffering a sickening head blow in a clash that left Wolves striker Raul Jimenez lying prone on the field.
The Mexican was rushed to hospital where he was conscious and responding to treatment last night.
A long delay while both players were treated saw ten minutes of first-half stoppage time added on at the Emirates.
The game finished 2-1 to Wolves but Luiz said: “Sad day for us !!! We have to fight together until the end !! Also here to thank u for all messages and ask for everybody to pray for @raulalonsojimenez9 !! 🙏🏻💔 Get well soon bro.”
GR-ART ESCAPE
Roy Keane joked that Arsenal ‘have enough to stay up’ despite enduring their worst start to a season for 39 YEARS.
The Gunners lost 2-1 at home to Wolves on Sunday leaving them 14th in the Premier League.
If Arsenal LOSE to Tottenham in their next Premier League game, they would slip 11 points behind their fiercest rivals.
When asked on Sky Sports if that North London derby feels like a huge game for the Gunners, Keane gravely said: “They all seem big at the moment, don’t they?
“Maybe that might be the best game for them to have next… it’s a derby and it’s away, so less pressure than at home.”
Cracking a smile, Keane continued; “But Arsenal… I still think they have enough to stay up.
“I think they’ll be strong enough to stay in the division.”
ARTETA’S REACTION
Speaking post-match, Mikel Arteta has been expressing his disappointment at tonight’s result, but maintains his delight at how his side reacted in the second half. The Arsenal boss also explained the reasons for why David Luiz stayed on until half-time.
“David [Luiz] is okay, he has a nasty cut. He was conscious. We did all the tests on him and he was completely fine, but he was really worried about [Raul] Jimenez.
“There are protocols. The doctor has to check that he hasn’t lost consciousness which he hadn’t. There are tests they have to do before putting him back on the pitch.
“[At half-time] he was uncomfortable and couldn’t really head the ball so he couldn’t continue.
“When you see the reaction of the players, you know something bad is happening.
“We’d like to send Raul Jimenez our best wishes and our love to him and his family. Hopefully it’s not as bad as it looked.
“It was a really bad result. We had our moments in the first half, but they had two shots on target and scored twice.
“We had a great reaction in the second half and the team showed the desire in how much they wanted to win the game. We created the opportunities, but the goal didn’t arrive.
“I’m disappointed because I think we merited more from the game.
“I have real concerns after losing three games in a row at home – I am responsible for that – but the willingness and desire was there.”
RAUL TAKEN TO TRAUMA CENTRE
Raul Jimenez was rushed to a major trauma centre after being knocked out cold in a sickening clash of heads with David Luiz.
The Mexican striker needed lengthy treatment on the pitch after a collision in the early stages of Wolves’ 2-1 win over Arsenal.
Jimenez received treatment from club doctors and paramedics, including receiving oxygen on the pitch, after being knocked unconscious from the collision.
He was then carried off on a stretcher before being rushed to hospital in an ambulance.
However, rather than go to the nearest A&E ward, he was taken to a major trauma centre.
ROY PUTS THE BOOT IN
Roy Keane was no stranger to kicking Arsenal as a player, and he hasn’t held back from being just as mischievous as a pundit in the Sky Sports’ studio.
“A lot of the players aren’t good enough.”
“I think they look soft and are lacking confidence. I didn’t see the desire and determination to get a result that the manager spoke about.
“I think they’ll have enough to stay up. They should be strong enough to stay in the division.”
CAPTAIN COADY
Wolves skipper Connor Coady has also been speaking about the injury suffered by Raul Jimenez in the first half.
“We were massively worried. We didn’t like it and knew it was bad straightaway.
“It was a horrible clash of heads. It happens in football, but both teams went out and played properly after that and did it right.
“I was at the front, just behind [Raul Jimenez] and jumped with him. You heard it and as he dropped, he landed on his side. I think it was important we kept him on his side to get the doctors on.
“We just hope and pray that everything is okay. It’s a massive result but the one thing that matters is Raul and David Luiz are okay.”
“He’s with the right people and that’s the most important thing.
“To come here and win is no mean feat, it’s a massive result. It’s something we can take forward.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
