GFX Stina Blackstenius Frida Maanum Getty/GOAL

‘Written in the stars’ - Arsenal star Alessia Russo pays tribute to Frida Manuum after ‘best mate’ Stina Blackstenius wins Conti Cup for the Gunners following collapse scare

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Maanum collapsed late in Conti Cup final
  • 'Best mate' Blackstenius scored winner
  • Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 after extra time
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    A goal late in extra time of the cup final against Chelsea saw the Gunners secure the trophy for the second year in a row, despite seeing their team-mate Maanum stretchered off after she went down off the ball.

  • Advertisement
  • Arsenal women Conti Cup final 2023-24Getty

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Arsenal issued a positive update about Maanum's condition shortly after she was taken off, but Russo admits her Gunners team-mates were worried about the midfielder, adding that it was only right that it was the Swede who went on to fire in the deciding goal.

  • WHAT RUSSO SAID

    Russo told BBC Sport: "Obviously it's devastating to see one of your team-mates go down like that. We're all wishing praying that she's okay. It was written in the stars that her best mate [Blackstenius] scored the winner for her. So yeah, obviously Frida is a massive player and plays with every single bit of her body, and she did that today. We just hope she's okay."

  • Stina Blackstenius Arsenal Conti Cup 2023-24Getty

    WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

    Jonas Eidevall's team will hope for more good news surrounding Maanum after enduring such a scare. The north London side now have two weeks off before their next game in the Women's Super League against Bristol City.