Arsenal star Frida Maanum’s mum reveals ‘nightmare’ of watching her horror collapse on TV as she gives health update
FRIDA MAANUM’S mum has spoken of her “nightmare” watching the Arsenal star collapse during yesterday’s Continental Cup final.
Maanum, 24, was attended to by at least 10 paramedics at Molineux after collapsing off the ball in the 95th minute.
The Norwegian was treated on the pitch before being stretchered off while receiving oxygen, to the applause of the crowd.
Arsenal later confirmed that their midfielder was speaking and in a “stable” condition.
Her mum Liz-Heidi Leonhardsen was watching the match from home in Oslo.
Speaking of the ordeal to Norwegian paper VG, Leonhardsen said: “It was a nightmare to follow the whole thing on TV without knowing what was going on.”
She then added: “Fortunately, I received a relatively quick update from a friend of hers who was at the match – Frida is doing well now and she is being followed up by the medical team at Arsenal.”
The match went to extra time when it eventually resumed, with the Gunners going on to win 1-0 courtesy of Stina Blackstenius’ goal.
After his side’s win, Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall told talkSPORT of Maanum’s condition: “I have been able to have a conversation with her but not on a medical perspective.
“I just checked in with her, how she is doing and telling her that we won and understanding a little bit about the next steps, but I don’t have any medical update.
“She is going to travel back with the team and after that we will provide an update.”
The reason for Maanum’s collapse remains unclear.
Arsenal star Alessia Russo said after the game: “It’s devastating to see one of your team-mates go down like that. We’re all wishing and praying that she’s okay.
“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 okay.”
Who is Frida Maanum?
Frida arrived at Arsenal in 2021 from Linkoping.
An all-action midfielder, the 24-year-old can play anywhere in the middle of the park.
She made her debut for Norway aged just 17, and has now won 72 caps for her country, scoring 12 goals.
Frida was part of the Norway 2023 World Cup Squad.
They progressed into the round of 16 where they lost to Japan 3-1. She appeared off the bench in that game.
Capable of playing in midfield or defence, Maanum has been a regular for the Gunners this season, appearing in 17 matches.
After Arsenal’s win, boss Eidevall was involved in a spat with Chelsea counterpart Emma Hayes.
As Eidevall went to shake Hayes’ hand, she appeared to shove him away.
Hayes, 47, subsequently said: “I think there’s a way to conduct yourself on the touchline, I really do.
“I think it’s absolutely essential that we role model in the right way. I’m not down for male aggression on the touch line,
“I’m really not, and fronting up to players, for me, that’s unacceptable. I’m disappointed and I told Jonas that.
“I don’t think it’s okay to behave like that. He got a yellow card and he should have probably been sent off.
“I’m all for competing to win, I’ve never been booked in 12 years, my time here, I totally accept he’s a winner and wants to win but his behaviour on the touchline wasn’t acceptable.
“The way he fronted up to Erin (Cuthbert) I didn’t think was acceptable.
“I was clear with him, I did not think it was acceptable. It’s not the first time he’s been told about his behaviour on the touchline.
“I want to say congratulations to Arsenal. They’ve won and I don’t want the talking point to be about that.”
