Steph Catley’s injury adds to Arsenal’s growing list of concerns, casting a shadow over their future performance and the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup.

• Australian defender Steph Catley forced off the field 16 minutes after being subbed on during Arsenal’s match against Leicester City.
• Catley’s setback is the latest in a series of injuries plaguing the Gunners, with four players, including Laura Wienroither, Leah Williamson, Vivianne Miedema, and Beth Mead, suffering ACL ruptures this season.
• Arsenal’s manager Jonas Eidevall highlights the multifaceted nature of the injury problem and calls for co-operation between clubs, national teams, and governing bodies.

Arsenal’s victory over Leicester City in the Women’s Super League (WSL) was bittersweet, with a fresh injury concern for the club. Matildas left-back Steph Catley’s return to the field was marred when she was substituted on and off within a mere 16 minutes, an unfortunate development for the Gunners.

Catley’s short-lived return is a worrisome addition to Arsenal’s burgeoning injury list. She was seen clutching her left leg as she left the pitch, sparking worries over a possible hamstring or groin injury. This comes just as the 29-year-old was hoping to find her stride after a foot injury in March that saw her benched for a series of key games.

This season has been akin to a horror story for the Gunners, with injuries striking like lightning. The casualty list includes Laura Wienroither, Leah Williamson, Vivianne Miedema, and Beth Mead, all sidelined with Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) ruptures. Kim Little is also out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring problem.

Jonas Eidevall, while lamenting the situation, praised the medical team for their hard work. He said, “We need to continue to do that and as always look at things we can improve on for the future but also to give Laura the best possible medical care so she can return as safely and as quickly as possible.”

Eidevall emphasised the need for collaboration among clubs, national teams and governing bodies in managing players’ schedules to reduce injury risks. He stated, “Some parts are internal and things we can control, then there are things we need external co-operation with. For example, the playing schedule or the co-operation between clubs and national teams or how and when competitions are played and how the international match calendar is done.”

On the men’s side, the injury bug has also bitten. William Saliba has been out with a back injury, Takehiro Tomiyasu with a knee injury, and Mohamed Elneny is currently in training following a knee injury. The latter two have both undergone surgery and are expected to return to the field in the 2023/24 season.

The spate of injuries has undeniably posed significant challenges for Arsenal, impacting the team’s performance and placing additional pressure on fit players. However, the resilience of the Gunners has been commendable, as they navigate through the season under strenuous circumstances.

In the face of adversity, it’s a test of the club’s depth and the players’ versatility. As Eidevall pointed out, it’s a multifaceted issue that requires comprehensive and collective efforts to resolve.

As the season progresses, the question remains: can Arsenal overcome these setbacks and emerge stronger? Only time will tell. For now, the focus is on recovery and rehabilitation for those sidelined. Every fan, player, and staff member is eagerly awaiting their return to the pitch, hoping for better days ahead in the Arsenal camp.

It’s been a tough journey, but the Gunners continue to display their unwavering spirit. As the old saying goes, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” and Arsenal are set to emerge from this stronger, with lessons learnt and resilience built.