Gunners boss Mikel Arteta insists all the correct protocols were followed after the Brazilian suffered a head injury against Wolves last weekend and has backed calls\u00a0for the introduction of concussion substitutes in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
Luiz suffered a badly-cut forehead in an ugly clash of heads with Raul Jimenez that left the Wolves striker with a fractured skull and had to be immediately rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery. Luiz was more fortunate and was initially able to continue\u00a0playing despite blood seeping through his bandage.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Although the Brazilian was eventually substituted at half-time, the incident has raised fresh concerns over how football\u2019s existing protocols and SOPs deal with head injuries and concussion as the Gunners were criticised in some quarters for not taking Luiz off sooner and therefore potentially\u00a0putting his health at risk.<\/p>\n Arteta, however, has come strongly to the defense of the actions of his medical team and insists all the correct concussion protocols were followed.<\/p>\n \u201cSome people can have the perception whether he should have continued or not,\u201d he told reporters.<\/p>\n \u201cThankfully we have one of the leading authorities in this country [on concussion], which is Gary O\u2019Driscoll – who is our doctor and has massive experience, not only in football but rugby as well.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd he knows exactly what to do. He did all the testing, he followed all the protocols and we were very comfortable for him [Luiz] to carry on playing.<\/p>\n \u201cBut obviously you have to make a decision in one minute, when somebody is bleeding, when you have someone with a massive concussion next to you – whose life is under threat.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe it is a moment that we can think to give these people a little bit more time and use a temporary substitution, for example, if we don\u2019t want to find ourselves in those positions.<\/p>\n \u201cBut what I can tell you is everything [on Sunday] was done in the right manner.\u201d<\/p>\n The introduction of concussion substitutes has been suggested as a potential solution to safeguard the safety of players who suffer a head injury, thereby allowing a manager to temporarily replace an injured player so as to give doctors more time to properly assess their condition, while not\u00a0forcing the team to continue without their full complement of players.<\/p>\n It is certainly a rule Arteta believes should be considered by the Premier League.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you have any doubts at any moment and you need an extra two minutes or five minutes to check somebody – maybe we can think about that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause, obviously, you are after five minutes to make a decision to find a sub, the player is really pushing you, he is talking about everything.<\/p>\n \u201cDavid was constantly asking about Raul, he went to see Raul and he was totally conscious, all the time, about the situation.<\/p>\n \u201cThe player wants to carry on playing and the doctor has to tick all the necessary boxes to be certain another player is okay to continue.<\/p>\n “So, if we have any extra doubts, okay we give them a little bit more time than necessary but you cannot play 10-15 minutes with 10 men in football.\u201d<\/p>\n Arteta also revealed\u00a0Luiz could return against Tottenham\u00a0in the north London derby on Sunday although it has already been confirmed that he would miss Thursday\u2019s Europa League\u2019s game against Rapid Vienna\u00a0to give his cut more time to heal.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cI think he will be fit to play if the scar is healing properly and he is comfortable heading the ball then there shouldn’t be any problems.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"