After Timber: Another Arsenal player suffers ACL injury
Rob Holding has disclosed that Teyah Goldie from Arsenal has experienced a second ACL injury shortly after making a recovery from a previous one.
ACL injuries seem to be quite prevalent in football currently, as a few more Premier League players were assisted off the field this weekend during the men’s game due to what seemed to be significant knee injuries.
As we are aware, Jurrien Timber is expected to be unavailable for a significant portion, if not the entirety, of his debut season at the club.
In women’s football, Arsenal is currently without the presence of Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead, Leah Williamson, and Laura Wienroither. All four players suffered ACL injuries at various times throughout the previous season.
Currently, Jonas Eidevall will have the absence of Teyah Goldie in the team. Goldie, who had recuperated from an ACL injury in her left knee, has unfortunately sustained the same injury in her opposite leg.
During an appearance on the YouTube channel ‘Tea with Timbsy,’ Holding talked about his personal experience with an ACL injury. This injury forced him to be out of action from December 2018 until the conclusion of August 2019.
“Jordan Nobbs did hers at the time so we just started our coaching badges together earlier that year. And, yeah, she did hers a week before me,” Holding said.
“So we went to coaching and she was just there like bandaged up, sat there and like we had to do the coaching. She was just there taking notes and then like a week later I did mine.
“Then we’re in the gym together on the bike and stuff. So that was that was good, that was a good connection for Arsenal to link the men and the women, both side by side doing the rehab.
“We’ve been doing that for quite a while I feel like. I feel we are one of the best teams at doing that and today I was speaking to Beth Mead, because she’s she’s coming back from hers.
“I mean the the women’s side’s carnage right now.
“Viv, Leah, Teyah’s just done it again. Teyah Goldie’s just done her other leg. She just come back from her left one, she’s done the right one.
“Obviously Beth and then there’s Laura, so there’s five of them there might even be another one that I’m missing, but you know like I mean they’ve got bodies around them.
“At least like all the girls are at the World Cup right now and and they’ve got five of them are all like different stages but I’ve got voices to hear and different different mental stages to bounce off.”
In a conversation with Arsenal in May of this year, Goldie shared her thoughts about making her comeback to the field after a 14-month absence.
“It has been a while but the moment was just as good as I ever imagined to be fair. I’m just buzzing,” the 18-year-old said.
“It’s a hard time for the team but as you can tell, the team are pushing through it and it was incredible to be out there with them.
“As many people will tell you, it’s up and down. But I’ve learnt so much along the way. It’s been a very emotional one but like I say, I’ve learnt so much. I’m in a better place now.
“All the staff have been incredible but I’ve got to shout out Rose [Glendinning]. She was there every step of the way. The girls and the staff made it that little bit easier every day.
“I feel like I’m just getting started, so it’s annoying that the season is ending! But yeah, I actually can’t wait for preseason – just to get going again.”
The case of repeat ACL injuries in footballers
The demands of professional football unfortunately bring about injuries as an inherent part of the sport. Among these injuries, the one that is particularly dreaded is the damage to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), a crucial stabilizer within the knee joint. Interestingly, a noticeable trend has emerged: athletes who have suffered an ACL injury in one knee appear to be at an elevated risk of experiencing a subsequent injury in the other knee.
But what is the reason behind this pattern?
The ACL plays a vital role in maintaining stability within the knee, especially during dynamic movements. This vulnerability becomes pronounced in sports like football, which involve rapid and frequent changes in direction. When a player faces an ACL injury and then undergoes the process of surgical intervention and subsequent rehabilitation, several factors come into play that could heighten the risk to the other knee.
One significant factor is the alteration of biomechanics. Following an injury, there can be subtle adjustments in a player’s movement patterns, potentially as a protective response to shield the previously injured knee. However, this compensatory mechanism might inadvertently subject the uninjured knee to greater stress, rendering it more prone to injury.
Another critical factor to consider is the rehabilitation process itself. While the primary emphasis often lies in strengthening the leg that has been injured, there’s a potential risk of creating an imbalance between the two legs. This imbalance could result in an overdependence on the uninjured leg, particularly in situations of high stress on the field.
Moreover, the psychological dimension should not be underestimated. A player in the process of recovering from a serious injury might have lingering apprehensions or fears, which can impact their decision-making and movements during gameplay. These mental barriers can also contribute to placing excessive strain on the uninjured leg.
Given the escalating intensity and demands of modern football, it’s hardly surprising that even the bodies of highly skilled athletes can sometimes struggle to keep pace. The fact that a previous ACL injury can raise the likelihood of a subsequent one underscores the formidable challenges inherent to the sport.
This trend highlights to footballers and the medical teams supporting them the vital significance of a holistic rehabilitation approach. This approach should encompass not only physical rehabilitation but also address the psychological aspects of recovery.
After Timber: Another Arsenal player suffers ACL injury
