Wolves' Raul Jimenez hopes to 'return to the pitch soon' after fractured skull

Mexico striker tweeted from his hospital bed where he is under observation following an operation after a sickening clash of heads with Arsenal's David Luiz

epa08852107 Players gesture for help after David Luiz of Arsenal (L) and Raul Jimenez of Wolverhampton (R) head clashed during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers in London, Britain, 29 November 2020.  EPA/John Walton / POOL EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez says he hopes to "return to the pitch soon" despite suffering a fractured skull in a horrific clash of heads with Arsenal defender David Luiz.

Jimenez tweeted from his hospital bed where he is under observation following an operation.

The 29-year-old Mexico international received 10 minutes of treatment on the pitch after the clash of heads in the first half of the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

He was subsequently wheeled off the pitch and taken to a local hospital.

"Thanks for your support messages," he tweeted. "I will be under observation, and I hope to return to the pitch soon."

Wolves would go on to win the match 2-1, courtesy of goals from Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto.

Neto, 20, dedicated his goal and the win - Wolves first at Arsenal in 41 years - to his stricken teammate.

"I didn't see the impact, I only heard the impact, and it was very hard seeing him on the ground like that," said the Portuguese.

"It was shocking, but I hope that he is OK and that he can recover to come back with us.

"Seeing him unconscious on the floor was bad, but we had to try to focus 100 per cent on the game.

"We wanted to end the game, we wanted to win the game for him, and we wanted to get this victory for him, so I think the whole team would like to dedicate this win for him."

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Whilst Jimenez went to hospital Luiz controversially played on with blood seeping from his head bandage until he was replaced at half time.

The decision reignited the debate about concussion protocols and whether football needs to follow rugby's example and allow temporary substitutes to be used while a player is properly assessed.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta defended the decision, saying the Brazilian only came off because he was concerned about the cut.