Fabrice Muamba believes that the awareness raised in football of the dangers of cardiac arrest helped save Tom Lockyer. The former Arsenal and England under-21 midfielder said it was to football’s credit that the best medical facilities were available to the Luton player when he collapsed during Saturday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
However, the 35-year-old said that there is still more that needs to be done.
“For me the most important thing is the reaction from the medical team,” he said. “Tom had access to a pitchside defibrillator and the medical team knew exactly how best to treat him.
“Slowly and surely the message is getting out but we still need to raise awareness.”
Muamba was playing for Bolton in an FA Cup match at Spurs in March 2012 when he collapsed. His heart stopped beating for 78 minutes and it was largely thanks to the presence of a leading cardiac consultant in the White Hart Lane crowd that he survived.
Doctors told him he could not risk ever playing again and he officially announced his retirement five months later.
However, he feels Lockyer must focus on his recuperation and any major decisions about his playing career can come later.
“The no. 1 priority has to be his health and he must get the best medical care and I am sure that is what will be happening between Luton Town and the hospital.
“There is more to life and I would hate for anybody to stop playing because of this. But you have to look at the bigger picture.
“Physically, if he crosses that bridge, I am sure he will be well advised by the people at Luton if he can start making any sort of comeback in the game.”
Christian Eriksen is an important part of the Manchester United squad two years after suffering his own episode during the European Championships finals with Denmark.
But Muamba remains happy with his own decision to hang up his boots.
“Eriksen is still playing with a pacemaker and medical science has moved on since then,” Muamba said. “A lot of progress has been made and I have no envy for anybody who is able to carry on playing
“I am okay with my path and very happy with where I am and with the time I had in the game.
“As time has gone on, medically my heart has improved and I can play for fun now with the kids.
“And today [Sunday] I watched my son play his very first 11-a-side game. I can still get joy from the game through him.”
