Tom Lockyer Collapses During The Bournemouth vs Luton Game

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One of the scariest things in sports is when a player collapses. Tom Lockyer, Luton’s captain, suffered a cardiac arrest and fell to the ground in the 59th minute of the match at the Vitality Stadium. He was immediately tended to by paramedics and staff on the pitch. Lockyer was taken to hospital and was later described as “alert and responsive”. The match, initially suspended, was abandoned with the clock paused on 65 minutes. Luton’s manager, Rob Edwards, had been among the first to sprint over to the stricken Lockyer and steer the two sets of shellshocked players away from the scene. On Sunday the club provided a further update on Lockyer, 29, which included a request for patience and understanding from fans and the media.

Tom Lockyer remained in hospital undergoing tests and scans on Sunday evening after his on-field collapse during Luton Town’s Premier League game against Bournemouth on Saturday. The club said: “While our captain Tom Lockyer remains in hospital following the cardiac arrest he suffered on the pitch at Bournemouth yesterday, we understand that supporters are concerned for him and that there is widespread media interest in his condition. “Tom is still undergoing tests and scans, and is awaiting the results before the next steps for his recovery are determined. We are unable to provide a running commentary on his situation, and request that all media please wait for any updates to be released via the club’s official channels when the time is right.

“We all want the very best for Tom, his partner Taylor and the whole Lockyer family, and politely ask that his and their privacy is respected at this difficult time.” It is understood the decision to abandon the game was undertaken by the match officials, led by the referee Simon Hooper, in conjunction with the players and the two managers, Andoni Iraola and Edwards. It is expected the game will be rearranged and replayed in full, as Premier League rules suggest, with the league’s board considering that decision and an announcement to be made in due course. Premier League sources, when asked by the Guardian, could not comment on whether the correct medical protocols were followed on the day.

Arsenal 2 Brighton Hove Albion 0

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Arsenal eventually saw off a stubborn Brighton to move back to the top of the Premier League – where they remained after Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by Manchester United. The Gunners, now a point clear at the summit, claimed their success thanks to Gabriel Jesus’ header and Kai Havertz’s late strike. Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the first half against Brighton without reward, but the tension eased when Jesus turned in after a corner. The hosts were almost punished when Pascal Gross poked a golden chance wide before Havertz sealed victory to spark joyous celebrations among a relieved home contingent.

The Seagulls, who were looking for a third successive league victory at Emirates Stadium, managed just one shot on target and drop to ninth place. After a conservative first-half performance, Brighton offered more attacking threat in the final half an hour but anything other than a home win would have been scarcely deserved. Arsenal had 26 shots in the match and almost added a third in injury-time when substitute Emile Smith Rowe’s low drive was saved. With Liverpool frustrated at home by United, Arsenal now have 39 points from 17 games and next head to Anfield on Saturday for a crucial meeting with Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Losing a pulsating contest at Aston Villa last weekend had seen the Gunners’ relinquish their spot at the summit and a five-match winning streak in the top flight come to an end. Nevertheless, the mood in the camp remained upbeat with Arteta and his players stressing the positives from a defeat where they had created enough decent chances to earn something. Against Brighton, Arteta kept faith with the same starting XI and urged them to make amends in front of their home fans. The Gunners were unbeaten in 12 home games – since losing 3-0 to Brighton in May – but the first half followed a familiar pattern. Arsenal moved the ball with pace and purpose against a deep-lying Brighton side, creating several chances for Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli in a one-sided first half.

Arsenal went into half-time with 15 attempts at goal, of which only three were on target, and the second half started with Odegaard dallying on another chance. The Gunners’ skipper was guilty of taking too long when presented with the ball in the box, taking a touch instead of a first-time shot allowing Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke to brilliantly nip in. That inadvertently teed up the opening goal, with Van Hecke flicking the resulting corner on to the far post where Jesus pounced. Arsenal and their fans knew the importance of scoring a second goal to kill off the game, which was further emphasised when Gross slid wide from a cross which he should have converted. Eventually the hosts did seal victory when Havertz finished off a slick attacking move with a fourth goal in his past seven games.