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By AFP 
14h ago
LONDON – Wolves captain Connor Coady said he is praying for teammate Raúl Jiménez to make a full recovery after the Mexican was taken to hospital with a head injury during his team’s 2-1 win. at Arsenal on Sunday.
Jiménez received treatment from doctors for 10 minutes on the field after colliding with David Luiz before being carried off the field early in the game.
The head of the wolves, Nuno Espirito Santo, confirmed that the 29-year-old is conscious and responding to treatment.
“We knew right away,” Coady said. “He’s with the right people, but we hope and pray he’s okay because he’s who we’re thinking of right now.
“It’s something we never want to see. I hope and pray that everything is okay, the only thing that matters today is that he and David Luiz are okay.”
Luiz continued to see blood seeping into a white bandage wrapped around his head until halftime, when he was replaced by Rob Holding, prompting further calls for the introduction of concussion substitutes in soccer.
IFAB football legislators have opened the door for concussion substitutes to be used on a trial basis with the English Football Association in hopes of doing so in the FA Cup this season.
💬 “We just hope and pray that it’s okay.”
© ️💛 pic.twitter.com/gkFvzfEz6T
– Wolves (@Lobos) November 29, 2020
However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta defended the decision not to immediately replace the Brazilian, saying that he was ultimately withdrawn due to discomfort caused by a cut in the incident rather than concussion symptoms.
“First of all, the doctor has to check that he has not lost consciousness,” Arteta said. “David was only concerned about the cut, nothing more.
“He was very uncomfortable and couldn’t head the ball. A center-back who can’t head the ball, he can’t play.”
The rest of the Wolves squad had combined for just five goals in their previous nine league games, but Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence scored to deliver the visitors a first away win against Arsenal since 1979.
Traore pace burns Arsenal
Neto was quickest to respond and converted the rebound after Leander Dendoncker headed an Adama Traore cross off the crossbar in the 27th minute.
The lead was short-lived as Arsenal responded to score their first open-play goal in six league games.
Willian’s alluring cross was propelled by Gabriel Magalhaes at the back post for his second goal for the club.
But the Arsenal defense, which had been the foundation of a resurgence with Arteta towards the end of last season when they won the FA Cup, could not cope with Traore’s pace.
Another dart from the Spaniard struck Neto and when his shot was deflected by Bernd Leno, Podence reacted faster to turn the fumble home.
Arsenal responded after the break to stop Nuno’s men, but the home team again lacked inspiration and a clinical finish in the final third.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s wait for a Premier League goal from open play since he signed a lucrative new contract worth £ 55 million over three years continues.
The Arsenal captain had his team’s best chance for a draw, but headed wide to the dismay of Arteta on the wing.
The Gunners have now lost three straight home games to move to 14th place in the table.
“When you lose three games in a row at home it is a concern. I am responsible for that,” added Arteta. “We have to get the ball into the net, in the first half they made two shots on goal and scored two goals.”
At the other end of the table, Wolves climb to sixth place and four points behind league leaders Tottenham and Liverpool.
AFP
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