Head clash was scary
London – Wolves captain Connor Coady said he is praying team-mate Raul Jimenez (above) will make a full recovery after the Mexican was taken to hospital with a head injury during his side’s 2-1 win at Arsenal on Sunday.
Jimenez received treatment from medics for 10 minutes on the pitch after colliding with David Luiz before being stretchered from the field early on in the game.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed the 29-year-old is conscious and responding to treatment.
“We knew straight away,” said Coady. “He’s with the right people but we hope and pray he’s ok because he’s the one we’re thinking about right now.
“It’s something we never want to see. I hope and pray everything is ok, the one thing that matters today is that he and David Luiz are ok.”
Luiz continued with blood seeping into a white bandage wrapped around his head until half-time, when he was replaced by Rob Holding, leading to fresh calls for the introduction of concussion substitutes in football.
Football’s lawmakers Ifab have opened the door for concussion substitutes to be used on a trial basis with the English Football Association hoping to do so in this season’s FA Cup.
However, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta defended the decision not to immediately substitute the Brazilian and said he was eventually withdrawn due to discomfort caused by a cut in the incident rather than any symptoms of concussion.
“First of all the doc has to check, that he hasn’t lost any consciousness,” said Arteta. “David was concerned just about the cut, nothing else.
“He was very uncomfortable and he could not head the ball. A centre-back that cannot head the ball, cannot play.”
The rest of the Wolves team had combined for just five goals in their previous nine league games, but Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence struck to hand the visitors a first win away to Arsenal since 1979.
Arsenal scored their fi rst goal from open play in six league games but have lost three straight home game, to slip to 14th in the table.
“When you lose three in a row at home it’s a concern. I’m responsible for that,” added Arteta.
Wolves climbed to sixth, within four points of league leaders Tottenham and Liverpool. –