Arsenal match suspended for 10 minutes as player given oxygen | Football | Sport
The Women’s Super League match between Arsenal and Brighton was halted for 10 minutes in the second half after a concerning head injury left a player requiring emergency oxygen treatment. Brighton star Maelys Mpome was defending a cross when the ball struck her squarely in the face.
The incident caused alarming scenes as medical staff initially attended to the Brighton player on the pitch before fitting her with a neck brace and placing her on a stretcher. Six medics assisted in carrying her from the field with an oxygen mask and tank attached. Mpome was given a standing ovation by Brighton supporters at the Emirates Stadium following the extended interruption to play. A total of 13 minutes of added time was then included at the end of the match.
Brighton made the trip to north London as they went in search of their third league victory of the campaign.
But they fell behind after Marisa Olis turned the ball into her own net 15 minutes into the match. And the visitors were forced to soak up plenty of pressure as Arsenal looked to bag a second goal.
Just after the hour mark, Mpome attempted to close down a cross down Arsenal‘s left side before she was struck by the ball. And the Brighton X (formerly Twitter) account explained the incident to followers as the admins wrote: “After a lengthy pause in play, Maelys has been stretchered off after initially receiving medical attention on the pitch. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Maelys.”
Arsenal eventually emerged triumphant after clinging on to their lead as they climbed to fifth in the Women’s Super League table.
The Gunners have claimed three victories from their six league matches this season, with Renee Slegers’ side also defeating London City Lionesses and West Ham in September.
The north London club then drew against Manchester United and Aston Villa, before suffering their only league defeat of the campaign at the hands of Manchester City last weekend.
The team will be aiming to rise up the Women’s Super League table in the coming months after finishing second to Chelsea last season. Slegers’ side return to league action at Leicester in early November following a Champions League clash with Benfica in Portugal on Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, Brighton finish the weekend in seventh place in the table after losing for the third time of the campaign.
Dario Vidosic’s team have struggled on the road and have already been defeated by Manchester City and Tottenham on their travels.
But their record on their own patch is much stronger, with the Seagulls overcoming Everton and West Ham in their last two home league matches following a goalless draw with Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the season.
