A week after Lloris is knocked out cold, Szczesny and Vidic are KO'd in horror collisions during Man United v Arsenal clash
The debate over footballers and concussion intensified on Sunday as both Wojciech Szczesny and Nemanja Vidic took blows to the head during the Manchester United versus Arsenal clash at Old Trafford.On the same day that Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who was knocked unconscious in a collision with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku last Sunday, was omitted from the squad to face Newcastle, two more names were added to the growing list of players taking knocks.
Szczesny was grounded towards the end of the first half when Phil Jones collided with him during an aerial duel at a corner. The Arsenal goalkeeper came off far worse and was left lying on the ground in the penalty area barely able to move.
Head blow: Manchester United midfielder Phil
Jones and Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny clash heads towards the
end of the first half at Old Trafford
Headache: Szczesny took some time to come round after the collision but was eventually able to continue
IN PICTURES: SZCZESNY COLLIDES WITH JONES
The Pole eventually climbed to his feet after a couple of minutes and was fit to continue. Jones, who didn't go to ground after the collision, was harshly booked for the challenge.
Minutes later, at the other end, there was another moment of alarm as United captain Vidic was struck in the face by his goalkeeper David De Gea's knee as he came out to collect the ball from a corner.
After receiving treatment, Vidic walked straight down the tunnel spitting blood and was replaced at half-time by Tom Cleverley.
He was taken to hospital in an ambulance as a precaution afterwards.
Floored: Man United captain Nemanja Vidic was
forced to go off after colliding with David De Gea's knee as he claimed
the ball from a corner
That's sore: Vidic holds his head as he walks off the pitch accompanied by medical staff
IN PICTURES: VIDIC'S COLLISION WITH DE GEA
The decision to keep him on for the remainder of the match drew sharp criticism, with manager Andre Villas-Boas forced to defend his decision.
He said that Lloris showed enough signs to the medical staff to suggest that he was alert and fit to continue.
On the sidelines: Hugo
Lloris (right) looks on from the stands after Andre Villas-Boas and his
staff decided to leave him out of the Tottenham line-up to face
Newcastle
Collision: Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was knocked out by Everton's Romelu Lukaku last weekend
Criticism: Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas (below) came under fire for not withdrawing Lloris after the incident
Lloris was subsequently rested for the midweek Europa League match against Sheriff Tiraspol and then again today in the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle. Brad Friedel deputised in both games.
There have been a number of other high-profile incidents this season.
Lukaku himself was knocked out in the act of scoring for Everton against West Ham back in September and admitted afterwards: 'I did not even know I had scored, I was out of it and the first thing I asked the doctor was "who scored?"'
Ouch: Romelu Lukaku was knocked out cold in the act of scoring for Everton at West Ham earlier in the season
Arsenal player Mathieu Flamini was taken off during a match with Norwich last month after colliding with Alex Tettey.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said afterwards: 'There is a five-day (concussion) rule that we will respect, not to take any chance. It was a concussion and the doctor advised us not to play him.'
And Norwich's Robert Snodgrass was taken to hospital after taking a blow during the Capital One Cup tie with Manchester United last week.
When
a player goes down with concussion on the pitch, these are the five
questions asked by medical staff to gauge whether they can carry on.
Stretchered off: Norwich midfielder Robert
Snodgrass is carried off in the Capital One Cup tie with Manchester
United at Old Trafford
Headway, a charity which aims to increase awareness of brain injury and its consequences, was critical of Tottenham's decision to allow Lloris to continue last week.
Asked about the two incidents on Sunday, Headway spokesperson Luke Griggs said: 'I don't want to get involved in judging the decision of Szczesny - every situation is unique and different and the medical team have made a call.
'With Vidic, they have taken him off after the medical team deemed him not fit to continue. He was unsteady on his feet, there were more obvious signs.'
He added: 'From the very start the whole situation was to raise awareness about head injuries.
'It has made people think.
'Especially the impact it has on youth and amateur football, about taking risks when they are playing football. They might want to be a hero and carry on - and they don't have medical teams at amateur football.
'If they are unsure and unsteady on their feet, it is best to go off.'
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