Mikel Arteta has backed Arsenal’s handling of the incident involving David Luiz and Raul Jimenez on Sunday which, sadly, left the Wolves striker with a fractured skull, but has called for concussion subs to at least be discussed.
There was criticism for allowing the Brazilian to play on, and while the manager insisted all necessary protocols were followed and that player welfare was the primary concern, he admitted giving medical staff more time is a good idea that should be explored more fully.
The club released a statement last night regarding the issue, and it’s expected that Luiz will be available for the North London derby although he will miss Thursday’s Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna.
“Some people can have the perception of whether he should have continued or not,” said Arteta.
“Thankfully we have one of our leading authorities in this country, which is Gary O’Driscoll, our doctor, who has massive experience in not only football but rugby as well, and he knows exactly what to do.
“He did all the testing, he followed all the protocols and we were very comfortable for him to carry on playing.
“But really you have to make a decision in one minute, when someone is bleeding, when you have a massive concussion next to you with someone whose life is under threat, and maybe it is a moment where we can think to give these people a little bit more time and use a temporary substitution for example if we find ourselves in those positions.
“I can tell you that everything was done in the right manner and the only aim here was to protect the welfare of the player.”
As for potential rule changes, he continued, “If you have any doubt, at any moment and you need an extra two minutes or five minutes to check someone, maybe we can think about that.
“If we have any extra doubt, okay we give them a bit more time if necessary but you cannot play as well 10 or 15 minutes with 10 men in football.
“We have had conversations regarding that issue and there have been conversations going on.
“Obviously, what happens in football is very common in other sports and it’s just a suggestion that we want to be extra protective, which I think we have to be in certain moments when we are considering the welfare of the players and how to have a fair competition while the game is still running.
“It’s an option and Gary has a huge amount of respect around the world and a huge amount of experience in all these kind of things.”
Ofcourse thats what he has to say.
Still don’t see how can you not sub a defender unable to head a ball. He was bleeding throughout. Can’t even see why it is necessary to keep a player onfield with basically any kind of head injury. Longer breaks interupting the rhythm of the game, not favorable for everyone. Just sub if u wanna be extra protective. At the WC 2014 Final between Germany and Argentina Christoph Kramer clashed heads with Ezequiel Garay. They did a short but similar protocol and when he was standing at the sidline, ready again to come in, he asked the ref: “Is this… Read more »
What a ridiculous situation. The PL needs to allow for concussion subs as we clearly allowed a concussed man to play for a half rather than using a sub. We did similar with Hector against Chelsea if memory serves correct. That’s terrible on so many levels – a concussed player should never have the option of staying on.
Remember that Bellerin incident and it still so infuriating to me..
The media all hailing Alonso for “wanting it more” and going on and on about “Soft Arsenal” when in reality, Alonso elbowed Hector in the head and got away with it..
I was gonna write the comment, “MA, that’s pure cuntery. Just admit you fuckedup and move on.”
Though writing that wouldn’t be nice, would it….
Perhaps i’m just sick n tired of leaders making excuses for their stupidity rather than taking responsibility (see, Johnson, B., Trump, D., half of the USA, etc.) but I digress.
Arteta was in a bit of difficult position here though wasn’t he?
If Gary O’Driscoll, one of the worlds leading experts in these matters, cleared Luiz to play there’s no way Arteta could have overruled him. It would have created all manner of issues.
I thought even if the doctor cleared Luiz, just for footballing reasons alone he could have been subbed earlier.
Not really a difficult position. Luiz was cleared to play because he wasn’t concussed, but it was obvious to everybody he couldn’t head the ball, and wasn’t really okay to continue with the blood pouring out his wound. The fact that he still took the free kicks leaves me completely aghast.
Head wound or no, Luiz shouldn’t be taking free kicks. I think that we can all agree on. When we have ball strikers of the likes of Aubamayang, and even Saka or Willock on the pitch he should be nowhere near taking a set piece scoring opportunity.
Ahh the good old days of Kolo bashing it into the wall, sigh.
Why have Arsenal been so unimaginative with free kicks for so long?
Injury or not I never want to see him take a free kick again
I second that motion.
I third the motion.