Jonas Eidevall issues Frida Maanum update with player on course to return next weekend

Arsenal Women boss Jonas Eidevall says that Frida Maanum could be back in action for next weekend’s game against Leicester City at Emirates Stadium if everything goes according to plan, but this weekend’s game against Bristol City will come too soon.

The Norwegian collapsed during second half stoppage time in the Conti Cup Final against Chelsea a fortnight ago and she required urgent medical attention. Maanum was stable and responsive quickly after the incident and two cardiologists indicated they were satisfied it was not a cardiac incident.

Since then, Maanum has had a heart monitor fitted and is being monitored on a phased return to training. Eidevall says this Sunday’s game against Bristol City will come too soon for her but, all being well, she could return for the next game at home to Leicester next Sunday.

‘She’s on a graduated, monitored protocol now to return to play. She will not be available for selection on Sunday but after that, if everything goes as planned, it looks promising for her to be available to play again.’

Eidevall wouldn’t be drawn on the precise findings of why Maanum feinted during the game but said the club have afforded her the utmost care, ‘We’re not going to disclose any medical findings and so on here publicly. But what I can assure you is that the support around Frida has been phenomenal and the monitoring and the protocols and the testing have been of the highest of standards to ensure both her mental health and wellbeing, but also to ensure a really safe protocol in return to play.’

Eidevall also confirmed that Vivianne Miedema is training outside again following surgery to clear up some scar tissue around her meniscus six weeks ago. ‘We need to do everything every single day to get our players back on the pitch as quick as possible. She is definitely progressing.

‘She’s not available for selection for the Bristol game, but she’s back on the pitch, early parts of that. We obviously have more stages to see before she’s finalised in being able to return to play, but she’s a lot closer now than she was last time I got the update.’

The Gunners boss will be banned from the touchline for Sunday’s game, he was booked for leaving the technical area during his celebrations for Stina Blackstenius’ winning goal against Chelsea in the Conti Cup Final. ‘I am allowed to be in contact with the bench through telephones or radios. I’m allowed to be in at half-time with the team. I’m just not allowed to be on the bench and in the technical area. I’m not allowed to shout but believe or not, I have other ways to communicate other than shouting!’