LONDON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he is delighted Raul Jimenez is back playing football after witnessing the Wolves striker fracture his skull.
Mexico forward Jimenez suffered the serious injury in an aerial challenge with former Arsenal defender David Luiz during Wolves’ 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium in November 2020.
But following eight months out on the sidelines, and having been warned by doctors it would be “a miracle” if he played again, Jimenez is set to lead the line for Wolves, just two points behind sixth-placed Arsenal, in Thursday’s Premier League match at the Emirates.
This week’s match will be played in front of a crowd whereas the one where Jimenez suffered his severe injury was played behind closed doors due to coronavirus restrictions.
And that meant Arteta, as well as seeing the collision, also heard the sound of the impact from his position in the Gunners’ dugout.
“Straight away you see the reaction, the anxiety that suddenly is in the team doctors and everybody involved trying to assess what was happening, it was frightening,” Arteta told a pre-match news conference on Wednesday as he recalled the incident.
“Thanks to the medical team, they probably saved him at that moment from something that could have been much worse and for the recovery that he’s done.
“It’s great that after that he’s come back so quickly, performing and scoring goals like he’s doing.
“Thank God it ended the right way, but it looked really, really bad.”
Luiz, who has since left the Gunners, remained in contact with Jimenez throughout his rehabilitation, as did Arsenal.
“Of course we were (in touch) and David was as well because he was directly involved and he was really affected by that,” said Arteta.
“We are colleagues at the end. We share the same profession and industry. When something like that happens you are emotionally involved.”
Arsenal won 1-0 at Molineux when the sides met in the reverse fixture just a fortnight ago, with Thursday’s game initially postponed during the Christmas and New Year schedule.
That reverse was a rare recent slip-up for Wolves, who had won the other five of their previous six league games, including victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester in the past week.
Spanish boss Arteta is in no doubt that Wolves are genuine challengers alongside Arsenal for a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.
“They look like it,” he said. “The way they are playing and the results they are getting, the consistency they are showing. For sure.
“You look at the last two games as well and how they played against those teams, they are going to be up there.”
Arsenal boss Arteta glad to see Jimenez back after skull fracture
https://arab.news/pf5jc
Arsenal boss Arteta glad to see Jimenez back after skull fracture
- Mexico forward Jimenez suffered the serious injury in an aerial challenge with former Arsenal defender David Luiz
- Having been warned by doctors it would be "a miracle" if he played again, Jimenez is set to lead the line for Wolves
How international academies are shaping Saudi football’s next generation
- Building a unified national footballing philosophy in Saudi Arabia is no simple task
Saudi Arabia’s football transformation has been impossible to ignore since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of 2022. An influx of global stars followed, and with it, unprecedented attention on the Saudi Pro League.
Yet beneath the spotlight, a more pressing question emerged amongst domestic fans: “What is the long-term strategy for developing local players?”
Building a unified national footballing philosophy in Saudi Arabia is no simple task. The sheer size of the Kingdom presents logistical challenges unlike those faced by smaller neighbouring nations, making grassroots development harder to centralize. In this landscape, the work of individual institutions can contribute significantly to the broader football ecosystem.
One such contributor is Juventus Academy Saudi Arabia, an official extension of one of world football’s most historic clubs, operating under the umbrella of Al-Shoaibi Group. Arab News spoke to head of public relations at Juventus Academy, Malak Al-Awami, based in Alkhobar, to understand how the academy fits into the Kingdom’s long-term football vision.
“Saudi Arabia is experiencing a transformational moment under Vision 2030, prioritizing youth development and active lifestyles,” Al-Awami explained. “The academy arrives at a perfect time to contribute to a world-class methodology while helping nurture the next generation of Saudi footballers.”
At Juventus Academy, success is deliberately defined beyond results and trophies.
“We’re not just training players,” Al-Awami said. “We’re shaping future leaders for the Kingdom.”
That philosophy has been reflected in how the academy balances Juventus’ global philosophy with local Saudi culture. While all coaches undergo Juventus’ training standards, cultural understanding remains a priority.
“All of our coaches are guided to respect Saudi values, culture and communication styles,” Al-Awami said. “Technical excellence matters, but the coach’s character is just as important as their certification.”
One of the academy’s defining features has been its inclusivity and cultural awareness. Players can join as young as four years old and continue until the age of 18, with programs open to both boys and girls.
That inclusivity has had a tangible impact. Juventus Academy played a role in the formation of Khobar FC, a women’s team that competed in the inaugural season of the SAFF Women’s Second Division League.
“We even used the same kit style as Juventus, getting approval from the club itself,” revealed Al-Awami.
Operating as an extension of the academy, the team finished just a few points behind established clubs like Al-Nahda and Al-Fateh in their regional group.
Al-Awami noted that the group is also exploring complementary initiatives aimed at elite player development beyond the academy itself. Among them is the planned Superior Striker Project, a specialized program designed to bring international attacking expertise to Saudi Arabia through short-term clinics for youth and professional players.
It is this broader contribution that highlights the growing importance of international academies in Saudi Arabia. Beyond providing structured training, they are helping build communities, instil values and strengthen the foundations of the domestic football pyramid.
When asked about what success would look like for Juventus Academy in 5-10 years, Al-Awami was clear. “It is definitely not about trophies or big contracts,” he said, before adding, “it is the legacy we leave behind. If, in 10 years we see confident young Saudi players competing at elite levels, local coaches growing through our programs, and families trusting football as a tool for personal development, then we will know that we have truly succeeded.”
Juventus Academy Saudi Arabia builds on Al-Shoaibi Group’s original ambition in 2018: to create meaningful football opportunities for families in the Kingdom. Today, that ambition has evolved into a structured pathway contributing to Saudi football future, blending global expertise with local identity to help shape the next generation.
