Maanum collapsed towards the end of normal time and left the pitch on a stretcher.
In the hours after the match, Maanum was said to be in a stable condition. There is now further good news with extensive tests having cleared the player of any obvious heart problems. Maanum will continue to be monitored in the coming days before she is given the green light to return to competitive action.
An official media update provided to WSL Full-Time from Arsenal read “Following the incident during the FA Women’s Continental League Cup final on Sunday, which resulted in Frida Maanum being substituted at the end of normal time, she has undergone extensive testing and support from our medical team at Arsenal. The test results have been reviewed by two leading cardiologists and there are no obvious cardiac causes found from these thorough investigations so far.
“Frida has subsequently had a monitoring device fitted to record her heart function and will now undergo a progressive return to train protocol. Once Frida has been monitored for a full one-week period, her normal training will be closely reviewed and monitored, before a decision will be made on her returning to play.
“Due to her continued progression and assessment at Arsenal, Frida will not be joining up with the Norway national team for their forthcoming European Championship qualifiers against Finland and the Netherlands.”
Arsenal will return to action following the international break with a home fixture against Bristol City on Sunday 14 April 2024. Head coach Jonas Eidevall is likely to provide another update on Maanum’s health ahead of that match.
