Arsenal women have been handed a major blow with the news that Leah Williamson is set for a long spell on the sidelines with a serious hamstring injury while Jordan Nobbs has been called back into the England squad.
Jordan Nobbs has earned a recall to the England squad ahead of their upcoming games against Austria and Latvia.
Sarina Wiegman announced her squad on Tuesday and included the Arsenal player who had missed out on the previous two games against Northern Ireland and Latvia, despite having recovered from her ankle injury.
Lotte Wubben-Moy, Beth Mead and Nikita Parris have all been called up by the Lionesses, as well.
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Sandy MacIver (Everton).
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Jessica Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Man City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Man City), Georgia Stanway (Man City), Keira Walsh (Man City), Katie Zelem (Man United).
Forwards: Bethany England (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Man City), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Man United), Ella Toone (Man United), Ellen White (Man City).
The same day, Arsenal made the following announcement about Leah Williamson: “Following Saturday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, Leah Williamson experienced discomfort in her hamstring.
“Subsequent assessments and scans have confirmed that Leah has suffered a significant hamstring injury.
“Further consultations and assessments will take place, with Leah’s recovery and rehabilitation programme also being determined in the coming days.”
While Arsenal have not given any indication of how long Williamson will be out for, the update is concerning for a number of reasons.
Firstly, that they do not give a timeframe in itself is concerning. A low grade tear would only keep her out for a few weeks.
That Arsenal have themselves called it ‘significant’ is another alarm bell.
Then there is the need for a “recovery and rehabilitation programme” to be determined.
As you can see here on our injury chart, the timeframe for a minor hamstring is 1-2 weeks, a moderate one is 3-4 weeks while severe is 6-8 weeks, but can be much longer.
The fact it's been described as a "significant" hamstring injury to Leah Williamson isn't good. We'll hear from Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall and England's Sarina Wiegman this afternoon. I'd imagine both will be extremely gutted. She's been brilliant this season for both.
— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) November 16, 2021
Jordi Osei-Tutu has already been out for 90 days with a hamstring problem, and he’s not expected back in training until the end of the month.
Williamson has been a key figure in Arsenal’s season so far that has seen them play 16, winning 14, losing one and drawing one. She has featured in 12 games, almost always as a starter, and has three goals this season.
We wish Leah all the best and that she makes a speedy and full recovery