Leah Williamson, the England and Arsenal footballer, has broken her silence on her ongoing recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and the Gunners’ recent form.
Williamson, who has been absent from the pitch since last April, discussed her rehabilitation and provided insights into the team’s performance in an exclusive interview during half-time of Arsenal’s match against Aston Villa.
Leah Williamson, the England international and key defender for Arsenal, is making strides in her recovery from an ACL injury that prevented her from captaining England in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Speaking to BBC One during the half-time interval of Arsenal‘s dramatic win over Aston Villa, she provided an optimistic update on her physical condition and journey back to professional football.
Williamson sustained the injury in April, putting her out of contention for leading the Lionesses in the Women’s World Cup. Discussing her recovery, she stated, “It’s good. It’s good. I’m running. I’m kicking a football like I used to. I don’t feel any different, so that’s good. The lungs need a little bit of time to catch up.”
The star defender’s absence has been keenly felt not only by England but also by her club team, Arsenal. The team had a difficult start to their season, getting knocked out in the first qualifying round of the Women’s Champions League and not securing a win in their first two games of the Women’s Super League.
However, they ended that winless streak with a triumph over Aston Villa.
Regarding the team’s challenging start, Williamson offered her perspective: “We’ve had good starts the last couple of years,” she said. “[There’s] not much time. The schedule is ridiculous. The girls have had something like eight sessions in the last four months and you expect the team to be able to gel quickly?”
She continued, “But also, I think we’re just not at our level. The girls know that. We’re chasing a better level but we should be doing better. The girls are playing [well] today but results-wise, sometimes it’s not with you.”
Leah Williamson is not the only player from Arsenal who has been grappling with ACL injuries.
Her teammates Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Laura Wienroither also faced similar setbacks last season.
Beth Mead, notably, made a triumphant return to the pitch during the match against Aston Villa.
Williamson’s words not only highlight her personal journey back to full fitness but also underline the collective challenges facing Arsenal in the Women’s Super League.
Her return is much anticipated, and her insights provide a glimpse into the resilience and ambition driving both her and her team as they look to improve upon their season’s start.