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Arsenal match suspended for 10 minutes as Brighton star given oxygen after head injury
Oct 12 2025 16:38 · By Shane Ireland
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Brighton defender Maelys Mpome suffered the injury against Arsenal on Sunday (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The Women's Super League match between Arsenal and Brighton was halted for 10 minutes due to a head injury that required oxygen treatment for Maelys Mpome. The Brighton defender was hit directly in the face by a cross she was attempting to defend.
Mpome sparked concern as she received initial treatment on the pitch, being placed into a neck brace and onto a stretcher. Six medical staff assisted her off the field with an oxygen mask and tank.
After the extended break in play, Mpome was given a standing ovation by Brighton's fans at the Emirates. An additional 13 minutes of stoppage time were added at the end of the match.
Brighton's social media account posted: "After a lengthy pause in play, Maelys has been stretchered off after initially receiving medical attention on the pitch. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Maelys."
Arsenal emerged victorious after taking the lead in the first half of the match at the Emirates Stadium. Marisa Olislagers scored an own-goal in the 15th minute, reports the Mirror .
Olislagers inadvertently turned the ball into her own net while trying to deflect Olivia Smith's cross. Neither team managed to alter the scoreline for the rest of the match, which was watched by 27,336 fans.
Former Arsenal and England defender Gilly Flaherty praised Brighton's performance despite their loss. She said on BBC: "Brighton have been strong today.
"They've been disciplined. They will feel frustrated that the only goal they conceded came from an own goal. They couldn't have done much about it".
"But they can take a lot of positives from this game. They will hope that they can pick up points when they come up against teams in and around them."
Arsenal's triumph elevates them to fifth in the WSL, having secured three victories from their opening six fixtures. The visitors, meanwhile, trail by four points in seventh place.
This is a breaking news story with updates to follow...