Arsenal women’s star Frida Maanum collapsed during her side’s League Cup final clash with Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. The midfielder dropped to the ground late in injury time, with the Gunners’ medical team rushing to her aid promptly.
Related articles
Maanum appeared to fall to her knees inside Arsenal’s half before dropping tumbling over as the League Cup final approached extra time. Chelsea’s Niamh Charles and Gunners star Katie McCabe both noticed the incident and rushed to the aid of the Norway international.
The pair then alerted official Cheryl Foster that the match needed to be halted so that Maanum could receive treatment, with medical staff rushing onto the pitch after the whistle sounded. Arsenal and Chelsea were then both instructed to return to their respective benches whilst the 24-year-old was tended to.
After a stoppage lasting eight minutes, paramedics then stretchered Maanum off of the pitch, with the all ends of the Molineux Stadium uniting in applause as they sent their well wishes to the playmaker. Play then resumed, though neither side were able to break the deadlock in the few minutes which remained of normal time.
Frida is conscious, talking and in a stable condition.
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) March 31, 2024
She will continue to be monitored closely by our medical team.
We're all with you, Frida ❤️
Arsenal Women then released a brief statement on X, previously known as Twitter, to confirm that Maanum’s condition was improving. Their post read: “Frida is conscious, talking and in a stable condition.
“She will continue to be monitored closely by our medical team. We’re all with you, Frida”.
Alessio Russo came on in place of Maanum and helped her side to a 1-0 win in the final, with Stina Blackstenius scoring the all-important goal in the 116th minute. Speaking after the match, the England Lioness explained: “It's devastating to see one of your team-mates go down like that and we're all wishing and praying that she's okay. I think it was written in the stars that her best mate went and scored the winner for her. "Frida is a massive player and plays with every single bit of her body, she did that again today and we just hope she is ok."
Former England international Ellen White told BBC Sport: “To win this for the second year in a row means so much to this club. They've done it for the fans, for [Frida] Maanum, the team, the staff - for everyone associated with this football club.”
