1-2 win after the English Premier League football match between
Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium in
London on November 29, 2020.John Walton / POOL / AFP
Wolves recovered from losing top scorer Raul Jimenez to
a sickening head injury to inflict Arsenal’s third consecutive home
league defeat with a 2-1 win at the Emirates on
Sunday.
The Mexican received treatment from medics for 10 minutes on the
floor after colliding with David Luiz before being stretchered from
the field.
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.
David Luiz (L) and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Mexican striker Raul
Jimenez lay injured after clashing heads during the English Premier
League football match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers
at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 29, 2020. John Walton
/ POOL / AFP
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.
Sky Sports reported Jimenez is conscious in hospital and
responding to treatment.
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.
Former Chelsea and Celtic striker Chris Sutton has been a
campaigner for concussion subs and more investigation into the high
percentage of former footballers suffering from neurodegenerative
diseases.
“Sickening head clash between Jimenez and Luiz. It’s time
football wised up and got up to date and immediately ratifies
temporary concussion replacements,” Sutton tweeted.
“Jimenez clearly in a bad way. Has David Luiz been checked
adequately?”
There was a sombre mood on the pitch when the action returned
but Wolves quickly took the lead.
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Leander Dendoncker headed an Adama Traore cross against the
crossbar but Neto was quickest to respond and converted the
rebound.
READ ALSO: Wolves’ Jimenez Hospitalised After Nasty
Clash Of Heads With David Luiz
The lead was short-lived as Arsenal responded to score their
first goal from open play in six league games.
Willian’s inviting cross was powered home by Gabriel Magalhaes
at the back post for his second goal for the club.
But the Arsenal defence that had been the bedrock of a revival
under Mikel Arteta towards the end of last season as they won the
FA Cup, could not cope with the pace of Traore.
Another dart from the Spaniard teed up Neto and when his shot
was spilled by Bernd Leno, Podence reacted fastest to turn the
loose ball home.
Arsenal responded after the break to pin Nuno Espirito Santo’s
men back, but the home side again lacked inspiration and a clinical
finish in the final third.
Bukayo Saka should have done better when he skewed wide from
close range.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s wait for a Premier League goal from
open play since he signed a lucrative new contract worth a reported
£55 million ($73 million) over three years also goes on.
The Arsenal captain had his side’s best chance for an equaliser
but headed wide much to the dismay of Arteta on the sidelines.
Arteta reacts during the English Premier League football match
between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium
in London on November 29, 2020. Julian Finney / POOL /
AFP
A year to the day since Unai Emery was sacked with the Gunners
sitting eighth in the Premier League, Arteta’s men now sit
14th.
At the other end of the table, Wolves climb up to sixth and
within four points of league leaders Tottenham and Liverpool.
AFP