Players gesture for help as David Luiz of Arsenal Wolves' and Raul Jimenez lie stricken on the ground after clashing heads during Sunday's match at the Emirates Stadium. EPA
Players gesture for help as David Luiz of Arsenal Wolves' and Raul Jimenez lie stricken on the ground after clashing heads during Sunday's match at the Emirates Stadium. EPA
Players gesture for help as David Luiz of Arsenal Wolves' and Raul Jimenez lie stricken on the ground after clashing heads during Sunday's match at the Emirates Stadium. EPA
Players gesture for help as David Luiz of Arsenal Wolves' and Raul Jimenez lie stricken on the ground after clashing heads during Sunday's match at the Emirates Stadium. EPA

Football

Wolves striker Raul Jimenez has operation on fractured skull following horrific clash of heads with Arsenal's David Luiz

Mexican forward needed oxygen on the pitch before being taken off on a stretcher and rushed to hospital

The National

November 30, 2020

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Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez underwent an operation on his fractured skull following a clash of heads with Arsenal defender David Luiz during Sunday's game.

The Mexican forward needed oxygen on the pitch before being taken off on a stretcher and rushed to hospital.

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Brazilian centre-back Luiz played on played on with a bandage wrapped around his head before being substituted at half-time. Wolves went on to win the match 2-1.

"Raul is comfortable following an operation last night, which he underwent in a London hospital," Wolves said in a statement on Monday.

"He has since seen his partner Daniela and is now resting. He will remain under observation for a few days while he begins his recovery.

"The club would like to thank the medical staff at Arsenal, the NHS paramedics, hospital staff and surgeons who, through their skill and early response, were of such help.

The club ask that Raul and his family are now afforded a period of space and privacy, before any further updates are provided in due course."

Bother managers expressed their shock at the incident after the match. "You start hearing 'code red'," Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo said.

"It was a bad moment. What was the reaction? Panic, panic panic. You could see the faces on the team-mates. It was a serious situation. It's awful and terrible."

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta said: "I was shocked because I saw the reaction of the players – they were asking the doctors. We were really worried ... because it was really nasty."

Jimenez, 29, scored 17 goals as Wolves finished seventh in the Premier League last season.

Former Newcastle United and England striker Alan Shearer criticised the decision to allow Luiz to play on after the incident.

"Football needs to get real and wake up," he said on BBC's Match of the Day 2. "It needs to get serious, not next month, now. This has been going on for far too long. The [concussion] protocols in football are not acceptable."

Arteta defended the decision to keep the Brazilian on saying he had shown no signs of concussion and was only withdrawn as the player was concerned about the cut.

However, there have been renewed calls for temporary substitutes to be used as they are in rugby union whilst the player is given a thorough examination.

"Too often in football we see players returning to the pitch having undergone a concussion assessment only to be withdrawn a few minutes later when it is clear that they are not fit to continue," said Luke Griggs, chief executive of brain injury charity Headway.

"That is the very reason why we urgently need temporary concussion substitutes in football. You simply cannot take a risk with head injuries."

________________________________________________________________________

Arsenal v Wolves player ratings

ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno, 6 – The Arsenal shot-stopper was the victim of some static defending in front of him, epitomised as Daniel Podence pounced on the loose ball to slot home after Leno had smartly saved from Neto with his feet. Reuters
ARSENAL RATINGS: Bernd Leno, 6 – The Arsenal shot-stopper was the victim of some static defending in front of him, epitomised as Daniel Podence pounced on the loose ball to slot home after Leno had smartly saved from Neto with his feet. Reuters
Hector Bellerin, 6 – Another hard working display from the right-back who was buzzing around the Wolves box when Arsenal were able to get on the front foot, but produced a vital header at the other end to nick the ball away from Pedro Neto. AFP
Hector Bellerin, 6 – Another hard working display from the right-back who was buzzing around the Wolves box when Arsenal were able to get on the front foot, but produced a vital header at the other end to nick the ball away from Pedro Neto. AFP
David Luiz, 5 – He suffered a nasty clash of heads with Raul Jimenez in the opening stages that left Luiz heavily bandaged and both players needing lengthy treatment. He bravely soldiered on, but struggled against the unrelenting pace of the Wolves attack. EPA
David Luiz, 5 – He suffered a nasty clash of heads with Raul Jimenez in the opening stages that left Luiz heavily bandaged and both players needing lengthy treatment. He bravely soldiered on, but struggled against the unrelenting pace of the Wolves attack. EPA
Gabriel, 7 - The soaring Gabriel produced a monstrous header to level the scores, but he was floored by the brilliance of Podence who restored his side’s lead. In fairness, the defender bounced back again though with a series of vital interventions to keep his side in the game. Reuters
Gabriel, 7 - The soaring Gabriel produced a monstrous header to level the scores, but he was floored by the brilliance of Podence who restored his side’s lead. In fairness, the defender bounced back again though with a series of vital interventions to keep his side in the game. Reuters
Kieran Tierney 5 - It was a difficult night’s work for the normally classy full-back who struggled to contain the energy of Adama Traore and the trickery of Podence and failed to provide his side with any real attacking support on the left flank. Reuters
Kieran Tierney 5 - It was a difficult night’s work for the normally classy full-back who struggled to contain the energy of Adama Traore and the trickery of Podence and failed to provide his side with any real attacking support on the left flank. Reuters
Dani Ceballos, 5 - Another quiet evening for the midfielder who saw little of the ball as the opposition looked to work the ball in wide areas, which made it difficult for Arsenal to escape their own territory. Reuters
Dani Ceballos, 5 - Another quiet evening for the midfielder who saw little of the ball as the opposition looked to work the ball in wide areas, which made it difficult for Arsenal to escape their own territory. Reuters
Granit Xhaka, 4 – Like Ceballos, he had minimal impact in a passive opening 45 minutes from his side and things didn’t get much better after the break which led to his withdrawal for the closing stages. Reuters
Granit Xhaka, 4 – Like Ceballos, he had minimal impact in a passive opening 45 minutes from his side and things didn’t get much better after the break which led to his withdrawal for the closing stages. Reuters
Joe Willock, 5 - I’m genuinely not sure if he touched the ball in the first-half. To his credit, he worked hard to try and get involved in the second but, despite asking the Wolves defence a couple of questions, he was unable to create anything of real significance. Reuters
Joe Willock, 5 - I’m genuinely not sure if he touched the ball in the first-half. To his credit, he worked hard to try and get involved in the second but, despite asking the Wolves defence a couple of questions, he was unable to create anything of real significance. Reuters
Willian, 6 - What he’s lacking in years he certainly has in quality and he inch-perfect cross put the equaliser on a plate for Gabriel, but he couldn’t replicate that same pinpoint accuracy when he fired a free-kick over the bar from a promising area. AFP
Willian, 6 - What he’s lacking in years he certainly has in quality and he inch-perfect cross put the equaliser on a plate for Gabriel, but he couldn’t replicate that same pinpoint accuracy when he fired a free-kick over the bar from a promising area. AFP
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 5 – Just two goals in 10 Premier League games now for Aubameyang who started brightly as his early cut-back almost caused problems, but nodded a golden chance over late on and was ultimately isolated for most of the game. AFP
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 5 – Just two goals in 10 Premier League games now for Aubameyang who started brightly as his early cut-back almost caused problems, but nodded a golden chance over late on and was ultimately isolated for most of the game. AFP
Bukayo Saka, 7 - The versatile youngster never seems to stop running. His pace on the counter caused issues again as he picked out Aubameyang whose pull-back was hacked clear, and he continued to make a nuisance of himself in the second-half. AFP
Bukayo Saka, 7 - The versatile youngster never seems to stop running. His pace on the counter caused issues again as he picked out Aubameyang whose pull-back was hacked clear, and he continued to make a nuisance of himself in the second-half. AFP
SUB: Rob Holding, 6 - Replaced David Luiz at the break who, despite his bravery, was clearly worse for wear as blood continued to flow from that nasty head wound, but the substitute could only head over from Saka’s cross and was booked for hauling down Traore. AFP
SUB: Rob Holding, 6 - Replaced David Luiz at the break who, despite his bravery, was clearly worse for wear as blood continued to flow from that nasty head wound, but the substitute could only head over from Saka’s cross and was booked for hauling down Traore. AFP
SUB: Reiss Nelson, 6 - Brought on for Willian who, despite his assist, had found openings hard to come by. He almost struck the equaliser too, but he lashed over on the volley after a neat piece of chest control. Reuters
SUB: Reiss Nelson, 6 - Brought on for Willian who, despite his assist, had found openings hard to come by. He almost struck the equaliser too, but he lashed over on the volley after a neat piece of chest control. Reuters
SUB: Alexandre Lacazette, NR - The striker was hauled in desperation by Arteta for the final 12 minutes, but it was too little too late and he had little opportunity to make an impact. Reuters
SUB: Alexandre Lacazette, NR - The striker was hauled in desperation by Arteta for the final 12 minutes, but it was too little too late and he had little opportunity to make an impact. Reuters
WOLVES RATINGS: Rui Patricio, 6 – There was little he could do to keep out Gabriel’s thumping header, but beyond that he had little to do. Despite that, he nearly caused himself problems when a sloppy touch saw him robbed of possession by Aubameyang. Reuters
WOLVES RATINGS: Rui Patricio, 6 – There was little he could do to keep out Gabriel’s thumping header, but beyond that he had little to do. Despite that, he nearly caused himself problems when a sloppy touch saw him robbed of possession by Aubameyang. Reuters
Nelson Semedo, 7 - A calm and collected night’s work from the full-back who was beaten by the pace of Saka early on but marshalled the game well for the most part, although he was thankful to see Aubameyang head wide after losing an aerial battle with the Gabon man. Reuters
Nelson Semedo, 7 - A calm and collected night’s work from the full-back who was beaten by the pace of Saka early on but marshalled the game well for the most part, although he was thankful to see Aubameyang head wide after losing an aerial battle with the Gabon man. Reuters
Willy Boly, 6 – Another who was largely untroubled asides from Gabriel’s leveller, he joined a lengthy list of names in Michael Oliver’s book for cynically taking out the advancing Willock. AFP
Willy Boly, 6 – Another who was largely untroubled asides from Gabriel’s leveller, he joined a lengthy list of names in Michael Oliver’s book for cynically taking out the advancing Willock. AFP
Conor Coady, 7 - A commanding display from the skipper, though his heart will have been in his mouth as he slid in to try and repel a low cross but ultimately came within inches of poking the ball into his own net. AFP
Conor Coady, 7 - A commanding display from the skipper, though his heart will have been in his mouth as he slid in to try and repel a low cross but ultimately came within inches of poking the ball into his own net. AFP
Fernando Marcal, 7 – The left-back capped a composed performance with a pivotal header to see off Saka's dangerous cross as Arsenal lay siege to the Wolves penalty area late on, after he had earlier picked out Neto with a smart ball down the line. Reuters
Fernando Marcal, 7 – The left-back capped a composed performance with a pivotal header to see off Saka's dangerous cross as Arsenal lay siege to the Wolves penalty area late on, after he had earlier picked out Neto with a smart ball down the line. Reuters
Adama Traore, 8 - The winger’s terrifying pace is normally enough to give any defender nightmares. He wriggled away from Kieran Tierney before standing up a lovely cross that was eventually bundled home by Neto and was again instrumental in the build-up to Wolves second. Reuters
Adama Traore, 8 - The winger’s terrifying pace is normally enough to give any defender nightmares. He wriggled away from Kieran Tierney before standing up a lovely cross that was eventually bundled home by Neto and was again instrumental in the build-up to Wolves second. Reuters
Leander Dendoncker, 6 - Right place, right time, but the wrong outcome as the midfielder’s header hammered the woodwork when it looked easier to score, while Leno was easily able to hang on to another headed effort from the midfielder. Reuters
Leander Dendoncker, 6 - Right place, right time, but the wrong outcome as the midfielder’s header hammered the woodwork when it looked easier to score, while Leno was easily able to hang on to another headed effort from the midfielder. Reuters
Joao Moutinho, 6 - Having earlier floored Gabriel with an absolute piledriver, he was caught flat-footed as Saka burst away from him with Arsenal chasing an equaliser. In fairness to Moutinho, he probably covered every blade of grass in a breathless outing. Reuters
Joao Moutinho, 6 - Having earlier floored Gabriel with an absolute piledriver, he was caught flat-footed as Saka burst away from him with Arsenal chasing an equaliser. In fairness to Moutinho, he probably covered every blade of grass in a breathless outing. Reuters
Daniel Podence, 9 - Quite simply brilliant. After a subdued start to the campaign the Wolves man is flying now and he restored his side’s lead with a calm finish into the corner after an exquisite flick over the grounded Gabriel. AFP
Daniel Podence, 9 - Quite simply brilliant. After a subdued start to the campaign the Wolves man is flying now and he restored his side’s lead with a calm finish into the corner after an exquisite flick over the grounded Gabriel. AFP
Pedro Neto, 8 - The tricky winger looked keen to add to his strike against Southampton from the off and he did so. He had Arsenal defender’s scrambling inside the opening 30 seconds and smashed home the opener after Dendoncker shook the bar. Reuters
Pedro Neto, 8 - The tricky winger looked keen to add to his strike against Southampton from the off and he did so. He had Arsenal defender’s scrambling inside the opening 30 seconds and smashed home the opener after Dendoncker shook the bar. Reuters
Raul Jimenez, 6 – Wolves’ star striker will have been keen to add to his tally at the Emirates, but his side suffered a huge blow as a nasty clash of heads with David Luiz saw the Mexican striker’s evening come to an abrupt end when he was stretchered off inside 10 minutes. EPA
Raul Jimenez, 6 – Wolves’ star striker will have been keen to add to his tally at the Emirates, but his side suffered a huge blow as a nasty clash of heads with David Luiz saw the Mexican striker’s evening come to an abrupt end when he was stretchered off inside 10 minutes. EPA
SUB: Fabio Silva, 7 - An early introduction for the 18-year-old who looked at ease against an at times quivering defence. He was unlucky not to grab an assist too as Traore fired into the side netting from the teenager’s selfless lay-off. Reuters
SUB: Fabio Silva, 7 - An early introduction for the 18-year-old who looked at ease against an at times quivering defence. He was unlucky not to grab an assist too as Traore fired into the side netting from the teenager’s selfless lay-off. Reuters
SUB: Ruben Neves, 6 - Replaced the superb Podence for the final 20 minutes as Wolves switched to a more robust shape to preserve their advantage, but he didn;’t see much of the ball in truth. Reuters
SUB: Ruben Neves, 6 - Replaced the superb Podence for the final 20 minutes as Wolves switched to a more robust shape to preserve their advantage, but he didn;’t see much of the ball in truth. Reuters
SUB: Max Kilman, NR - Replaced a fellow substitute when he was brought on in place of Fabio Silva for the closing stages as Nuno Espirito Santo looked to protect his side’s lead, which they did in fairness. Reuters
SUB: Max Kilman, NR - Replaced a fellow substitute when he was brought on in place of Fabio Silva for the closing stages as Nuno Espirito Santo looked to protect his side’s lead, which they did in fairness. Reuters
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