Frida Maanum is reportedly a doubt for international duty with Norway after she collapsed during Arsenal‘s Continental Cup final win over Chelsea on Sunday.
The 24-year-old fell to the floor in the 95th-minute and required oxygen during a nine-minute stoppage at Molineux.
Arsenal said on Tuesday that Maanum is doing well, didn’t lose consciousness or have to go to hospital, and travelled back to London with her team-mates.
However, reports in Norwegian newspaper VG suggest Maanum may not link up with their national team for this week’s opening Euro 2025 qualifiers against Finland and the Netherlands.
Norway coach Gemma Grainger told VG: ‘We are very saddened by the news about Frida. Our department is in dialogue with Arsenal and we will follow up closely.
Frida Maanum collapsed to the turf in the 95th minute of the League Cup final at Molineux
Maanum may not link up with the Norway squad this week as a result of the incident
She was immediately attended to by club doctors and paramedics, who rushed onto the pitch
‘We send her our warmest thoughts and wishes.’
Maanum’s mother Liz-Heidi Leonardsen told VG she is doing well following Sunday’s scare and is being monitored by Arsenal’s medical staff, who are conducting tests to find out the cause.
Norway have been drawn in Group One for Euro qualifying alongside Finland, the Netherlands and Italy. They host Finland in Oslo on Friday evening, then travel to Breda to face the Dutch on Tuesday.
Maanum, who plays as a midfielder or defender, has made 77 appearances for her country, scoring 14 goals.
Speaking after Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Chelsea in extra time, Eidevall said: ‘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.’
Eidevall was the first to spot Maanum required urgent treatment, before Arsenal left-back Katie McCabe rushed to her side and called for medics to enter the pitch quickly.
The reason for Maanum’s collapse is still unknown but she was said to be responsive and talking after the game and will continue to be monitored by Arsenal’s medical team.
‘Frida is conscious, talking and in a stable condition,’ the Gunners said in a statement on Sunday.
Eidevall and the Arsenal bench looked on apprehensively as Maanum received treatment
The 24-year-old left on a stretcher with a oxygen mask, but did not need CPR
‘She will continue to be monitored closely by our medical team. We’re all with you, Frida.’
Stina Blackstenius scored the winner in the 116th minute as Arsenal secured back-to-back League Cups, with Eidevall dedicating the win to Maanum.
‘Immediately after the game, we don’t care about winning, we care about Frida – that is most important,’ the Arsenal boss, who was involved in a tense spat with Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, said.
‘But there was nothing we could do to control that situation, we can concentrate on football, and we wanted to make Frida a champion.’
Maanum continues to be monitored by medical staff and may not play for Norway this week
England forward Alessia Russo, who came on in Maanum’s place, added: ‘It’s devastating to see one of your team-mates go down like that. We’re all wishing and praying that she’s OK.
‘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 OK.’
