Arsenal great Marc Overmars suffers 'irreparable heart damage' after cardiac arrest

TOM MORGAN FROM TELEGRAPH

Marc Overmars, the former Arsenal forward, suffered “irreparable damage” to his heart following a cardiac arrest last month, according to reports in Holland.

The former winger, 49, has been in hospital since Dec 30. It was initially claimed by Royal Antwerp, where he has been sporting director, that he suffered a “mild stroke”.

Now, however, it has emerged his condition was more serious, with a report in De Telegraaf claiming his heart is only able to pump blood at a fraction of its normal volume.

Part of his heart muscle is said to have stopped working, which means his ability to pump blood around the body has been reduced by 70 per cent compared to its normal volume.

Overmars appears to be on the mend, however, and was quoted as telling Dutch media that “I have to take it easy and move forward one step at a time.”

The reports suggest, however, that Overmars, who played for Ajax, Arsenal and Barcelona, was in a worse condition than initially thought after being taken to hospital. Following his stroke, an Antwerp statement read: “Marc Overmars, director of football affairs at RAFC, became unwell last night and was admitted to hospital with a mild stroke.