The mood among the Arsenal Ladies followers is extremely positive after the long delayed and anticipated official confirmation of Fara William’s signing from Liverpool.

But do the Arsenal Ladies fans have a short memory and have they conveniently forgot her past and the controversial incident involving her and an Arsenal player?

I mean, would the Arsenal fans welcome Ryan Shawcross or Martyn Taylor with open arms?

Let’s go back to Sunday, 11th April 2010. Arsenal Ladies are away to rivals Everton Ladies in what will be the final season in the Women’s Premier League as the FA WSL will be created in 2011.

England's Fara Williams celebrates after scoring on a penalty in extra time of her bronze medal match against Germany at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Edmonton, Alberta on July 4, 2015. AFP PHOTO/GEOFF ROBINS
England’s Fara Williams celebrates after scoring on a penalty in extra time of her bronze medal match against Germany at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Edmonton, Alberta on July 4, 2015. AFP PHOTO/GEOFF ROBINS

Arsenal Ladies wound up winning the title with an 11 point gap over Everton Ladies. On the day, the Gunners were 1-0 winners with a Rachel Yankey goal six minutes in, but the main event came on later in the game.

Jayne Ludlow was sent off for retaliation, as she tried to strangle Fara Williams following an horrendous, over the top, dangerous tackle that hit the Welsh captain on the ankle. As soon as Ludlow was up, she went straight for the jugular – literally – and was sent off for violent conduct in a correct application of the laws of the game.

The fact is Ludlow was very lucky not to be on her way to the hospital in the first place. Williams went studs up at full force straight to her leg and hit her in the ankle.

Luckily enough, Ludlow had started jumping to avoid the contact, otherwise you can imagine what would have happened had her foot been rooted to the ground.

When you think what happened to Aaron Ramsey, Eduardo or Abou Diaby, you can picture how lucky Ludlow was in the end. The referee and the FA did not cover themselves in glory in that incident as the retaliation was punished and a three game ban was given to Ludlow while Fara Williams escaped scot-free.

There is a no doubt Fara Williams will bring a lot of experience with her vision and skill in the defensive midfield position but incident like this should not be forgotten either.