Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta supports calls for concussion substitutes after David Luiz and Raul Jimenez clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has backed calls for concussion substitutes to be introduced into football in the wake of David Luiz and Raul Jimenez’s sickening clash of heads.

The pair collided horribly at a corner during Sunday’s Premier League match between Arsenal and Wolves at Emirates Stadium, with Jimenez undergoing surgery that night on a fractured skull. The striker is, according to his club, “comfortable”, but remains in hospital.

Luiz was able to carry on playing after the incident, but had to be taken off at half-time as a cut on his head was impacting him heading the ball.

The defender will now miss Thursday’s home Europa League meeting with Rapid Vienna, but could return for the north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.

Arteta insists all concussion protocols were met on Sunday so Luiz could carry on playing, but he added the idea of temporary substitutes for head injuries should be considered.

“Some people can have the perception whether he should have continued or not,” said Arteta.

“Thankfully we have one of the leading authorities in this country [on concussion], which is Gary O’Driscoll - who is our doctor and has massive experience, not only in football but rugby as well.

“And 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.

“But 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.

“Maybe 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’t want to find ourselves in those positions.

“But what I can tell you is everything [on Sunday] was done in the right manner.”

Arteta has been joined in his calls for concussion substitutes by Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho.

“I am in favour, because first of all the power to the doctor that is on the pitch," he said.

"You must have as a coach on your side and on your bench a doctor you fully trust and then everything becomes easier because then the doctor's word is the decision.

“That makes everything easier, of course a substitution for concussion would probably make decisions for coaches easier, but honestly for me the crucial point is to have a doctor you fully trust.”

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