Ex-Arsenal midfielder Olsson on ventilator after falling unconscious

Sweden midfielder Kristoffer Olsson has been hospitalised and put on a ventilator after falling unconscious at home, his club Midtjylland said on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old former Arsenal player, who has 47 caps for Sweden, lost consciousness on Feb 20, the Danish Superliga side said, adding that he was suffering from an acute brain-related illness.

"A team of Denmark's leading medical experts is currently working hard to make a diagnosis and initiate the right treatment," Midtjylland said in a statement.

"Since hospitalisation, Kristoffer has been surrounded by his immediate family and members of Midtjylland's staff and is being treated by specialists in the field."

Midtjylland said they had felt compelled to release a statement due to increasing speculation about Olsson's recent absence.

The club added that Olsson's condition was not related to self-harm or to external factors.

Olsson began his playing career at Arsenal, followed by moves to Midtjylland, Swedish side AIK, Russian Premier League club Krasnodar and Belgium's Anderlecht. He returned to Midtjylland last year.

"Get well soon, Kristoffer. We wish you a full and speedy recovery," Arsenal posted on social media platform X.