Frida Maanum: Arsenal midfielder ‘stable’ after collapsing on pitch in League Cup final

Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum is in a “stable condition” after collapsing on the pitch during the Continental Cup final against Chelsea.

Maanum, 24, received medical treatment before being taken off on a stretcher.

“Frida Maanum is conscious, talking and in a stable condition. She will continue to be monitored closely by our medical team,” Arsenal said.

Arsenal’s players and their manager Jonas Eidevall quickly signalled for medical staff when they saw Maanum down on the ground, with Stina Blackstenius and Katie McCabe rushing to her side.

Both sets of players remained on the pitch while Maanum received oxygen through a mask before being carried down the tunnel at Molineux.

Alessia Russo came on to replace the midfielder and play was resumed in the 14th additional minute with the scores level at 0-0.

Arsenal went on to win the final 1-0 with Blackstenius scoring the winner in the 26th minute of extra time.

Russo told BBC Sport: “It’s devastating to see one of your team-mates go down like that.

“We’re all wishing and praying that she’s OK. 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 bit of her body. She did that today. We just hope she’s OK.”

Maanum joined Arsenal from Swedish side Linkoping in 2021 and has since scored 14 goals in 60 Women’s Super League appearances.

Match-winner Blackstenius expressed concern, saying: “It’s always really hard. She’s a team-mate and a friend to all of us. We care so much about her.

“You worry a bit when stuff like this happens. We said we wanted to do this for her, to get this win for her because she couldn’t be with us at that point.”