Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum made a triumphant return to the pitch during Arsenal's Women's Super League fixture against Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on Sunday. This marked her comeback after collapsing during the League Cup final last month.
The incident occurred during Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the final at Molineux on March 31. Maanum collapsed off the ball in the 95th minute, prompting immediate concern among players and fans alike.
During the recent match against Leicester City, Maanum was subbed on in the 65th minute for Stina Blackstenius, who had scored the winning goal in the final. The midfielder received a heartwarming welcome back from the 42,820 fans present, with a standing ovation and resounding cheers of support.
Following the distressing collapse, a club spokesperson confirmed that Maanum was conscious and in a stable condition. Fortunately, she did not require hospitalization and was able to travel back with the team after the game.
In the aftermath of the incident, Maanum opted out of reporting for international duty with Norway and instead remained with the club for thorough testing and assessments. The club's medical team conducted examinations and found no apparent cardiac causes for the collapse.
As Maanum embarks on her return-to-play protocol, the 24-year-old will be under close observation by medical staff to ensure her full recovery and readiness to resume competitive play.
