Ex-Arsenal starlet Kristoffer Olsson on ventilator with 'acute brain disease'

27 February 2024 , 09:20

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Kristoffer Olsson made one appearance for Arsenal's first team (Image: PA)

Former Arsenal midfielder Kristoffer Olsson is on a ventilator in hospital after collapsing at home.

Olsson, who now plays for Midtjylland in Denmark, has been diagnosed with an “acute disease related to the brain”. The 28-year-old has 47 caps for Sweden and spent three years at Arsenal as a youngster, where he was a regular for their academy sides and made one senior appearance.

Midtjylland said in a statement: “Against the background of the increasing rumours and conjectures that are pending about the reason for Kristoffer Olsson's absence in the recent period, we feel compelled to go out with this announcement to the public.

“The 28-year-old Swedish national team player lost consciousness at his home on Tuesday 20 February and was transferred to Aarhus University Hospital, where he is hospitalised and on a ventilator. Kristoffer Olsson is affected by an apparently acute disease related to the brain, which is not due to self-harm of any kind, nor is the cause due to external factors.

“A team of Denmark's leading medical experts is currently working at high pressure to make a diagnosis and initiate the right treatment. Since admission, Kristoffer has been surrounded by his immediate family and parts of FC Midtjylland's staff, and is being treated by specialists in the field.

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“FC Midtjylland urgently requests the public to show respect and understanding, so that Kristoffer, the family and the doctors get the necessary peace of mind to ensure Kristoffer's recovery and recovery as well as possible.

"Everyone at FC Midtjylland is of course deeply affected by Kristoffer's sudden illness and our thoughts and full support go out to Kristoffer and his family. FC Midtjylland has no further statements at present, but we will inform the public when significant new information arises.”

Alongside a picture of him in an Arsenal shirt, the Gunners tweeted: “Get well soon, Kristoffer. We wish you a full and speedy recovery.” The Swedish national team tweeted: “The entire Swedish football family is thinking of you and hopes that you will recover soon. Our thoughts also go to Kristoffer's loved ones at this difficult time.”

Kristoffer Olsson is a Sweden international (Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

Midtjylland’s rivals Copenhagen wrote: “All the best to Kristoffer Olsson, his loved ones and everyone at FC Midtjylland.” Olsson has made 124 appearances for Midtjylland over two spells on loan and two permanent stays, scoring eight goals and registering 20 assists. He has also played for Belgian side Anderlecht, Swedish club AIK and Krasnodar in Russia.

The midfielder joined Arsenal in 2011 after two trial periods with the club. He played regularly for the club’s youth sides and made his senior debut in September 2013 as a substitute in a League Cup game against West Brom before joining Midtjylland on loan and later turning the move into a permanent one.

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Felix Keith