Arsene Wenger has released a statement paying tribute to the ‘hunger and determination’ of former Gunner Fabrice Muamba, as the Bolton player continues to fight for his life in a London hospital.
As you’ll all be aware by now, the 23-year-old collapsed during the Trotters’ FA Cup clash with Spurs on Saturday evening and has been in a critical condition in intensive care ever since.
Speaking about a player to whom he granted a debut in English football at the age of 17, Wenger stated:
“This is of course a massive shock to us all and we just hope that Fabrice will pull through safely. You pray that the damage will be repaired and that Fabrice will come out healthy and we will see his smile again. That is all you wish for.
“As a man, Fabrice has a positive attitude towards life, he is full of determination and has a great desire. Everyone at Arsenal has huge respect for Fabrice. Even after he left us, he often passed by to say hello and speak about how it was going for him. We feel very deeply attached to him.
“He is what you would call a committed player. His hunger and determination was so big. When he was younger, he had massive players in front of him at Arsenal, but I felt he had reached the level to play in the Premier League, so we let him go and he has proved his quality.
“A football player always remains attached to where he was educated. Fabrice had his friends from childhood here and they remain your friends forever.
“We are all thinking of Fabrice, his family and everyone close to him.”
Arsenal have confirmed they have been inundated by messages of support for Fabrice with 29,000 well-wishers using the club’s website and Facebook page over the course of the Sunday. To add yours, click here.
It goes without saying that the thoughts and prayers of Arseblog News are with Fabrice and his family at this difficult time.
Get Well Soon Fabrice!!
To Fabrice: That smile, we need to see again and again.
With God’s grace please return to us.
Come on Fabrice..hang in there..We are all praying for you..
Be strong Fabrice, we know you can pull through. All of our best wishes go out to you and your family.
Wenger, as articulate as ever.
Get well soon Fabrice. Without knowing you personally, but reading a lot about your roots and upbringing – you’re an inspirational character and truly one of football’s good guys.
May you continue to fight so the world can see your smile again.
My thoughts are with him and all his family that he pulls through this ok with no long-term damage, no son should grow up fatherless, no wife a widow at 24.
I wish him a full recovery and a long life and future, let’s all hope he has the courage and conviction to get through this.
Really does make you think how fragile life is! I truly believe that this outpouring of positivity towards Fabrice will pull him through this.
Our thought go out to you Fabrice you can do it come back to us all fit and strong 🙂
Get well soon Fabrice. I will always remember that moment when I brought you in FIFA 09. Good times.
ONCE A GUNNER, ALWAYS A GUNNER!
Was out on the razz for paddy’s day when I heard. Couldn’t continue so I went home.
Footies irrelevant when these things happen and I must say a lot of class is being shown by other clubs in regards to fab. He’ll always be a gooner to us but credit where it’s due and all that.
God Willing he’s back as a father and husband at the very least.
Praying for ya fab, hang in there son.
Seriously Mr Muamba, there isn’t a sane person alive who doesn’t want to see you back on that football pitch at your best. From what I hear, you were one of the most committed players in football, and completely didn’t deserve what happened. Football has come together unanimously to support you, which is a testament to the type of player you are. Don’t give up.
From the bbc website updated @ 15.30 today:
***
Fabrice Muamba’s heart condition is “showing small signs of improvement” following the Bolton player’s cardiac arrest at Tottenham.
A Bolton statement said: “His heart is now beating without the help of medication and he is also moving his arms and legs.”
***
Get well, Fabrice – everyone’s holding out hope for you.
I saw this live on TV. Fucking scary. I really hope he pulls through and we see him on a football pitch again.
Awful thing to see happen, especially to someone so young.
Best wishes to Fabrice and his family.
Just want to say keep fightin Fabrice, keep fightin, thoughts & prayers with you, sure you can make it. Also blogs, excellent blog today, big up to you. I think as a minimum every football fan/supporter would do well to read it, absorb it and understand it’s message, but frankly it transcends football. Surely as human beings as evolved as we are supposed to be, can understand can understand right from wrong, the moral & immoral and importantly where the line of decency is!!! Saturdays events suggest that there is a chance, albeit a small chance, because both sets of… Read more »
Poor lad, I really hope he pulls through It’s looking good so hopefully he gets well and eventually gets back out in the field smiling and playing ball.