Michael Schumacher: Arsenal squad send message of support to former Formula One champion as he battles for his life

Lukas Podolski posted the picture alongside his teammates from the changing rooms in the wake of Arsenal's 2-0 win over Cardiff City

Arsenal’s squad took time out of their celebrations following the 2-0 win over Cardiff City on New Year’s Day to send a message of support to former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher.

The 44-year-old suffered a serious head injury when he was involved in a skiing accident last week, and he is currently fighting for his life in the Grenoble University Hospital where he is being kept in an induced coma.

A picture posted on Lukas Podolski’s Instagram account showed him alongside a number of his Arsenal colleagues holding up a t-shirt that read “Get well soon Schumi”, along with the caption “1st place! It was a important victory for our team today. Michael, we all hope that you will win, too. All the best wishes from AFC team to you.....#getwellsoon #prayforschumi #schumi #poldi #afc #team”.

The tribute comes on the same day that Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm confirmed that the seven-time world champion’s condition was stable but still critical.

The Gunners have a trio of Germany internationals that feature in the first team squad in Podolski, Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil, while Serge Gnabry and Thomas Eisfeld are also on the club’s books in the youth ranks.

Schumacher turns 45 on Friday but is likely to remain in an artificial coma for the near-future as he continues his recovery, with fans worldwide unsure if the record-breaking racer will survive the ordeal.

A keen footballer himself, Schumacher hails from a small town near Cologne, the same place that Podolski grew up when his family moved from Poland to Germany.

After doctor’s reported a “slight improvement” in Schumacher’s condition, Kehm said: “Michael's condition has been supervised all the night and remained stable over the night and also now.

“The good news for today is that we do not have the feeling to hold a press conference because there are no significant changes.”