Arsenal Women’s forward Lina Hurtig is set to miss Sweden’s crucial Nations League match against Spain due to a minor injury.
This development follows her recent participation in Sweden’s match against Switzerland, highlighting the ongoing challenge of managing player fitness amidst a demanding football calendar.
Arsenal Women forward Lina Hurtig is set to return to London and will miss Sweden’s upcoming Nations League game against Spain.
Hurtig, who played nine minutes + in Sweden’s recent match against Switzerland, is dealing with a minor injury, sidelining her from Tuesday night’s fixture.
The Swedish Football Association released a statement confirming Hurtig’s withdrawal. “Lina Hurtig will not be available for the match against Spain on Tuesday. With that, the forward leaves the gathering in Malaga and travels home to her club team Arsenal. Lina suffered a minor injury in the match against Switzerland and the assessment is that she will not be available for the game tomorrow. Therefore, Lina is now leaving the squad and traveling home to her club today,” said national team doctor Sadesh Balasingam.
This injury adds to Hurtig’s challenging period of problems, having missed most of last season due to foot and calf issues.
Prior to the international break, she was absent from Arsenal’s victory over West Ham, although fit enough to report for international duty.
Hurtig, a native of Avesta, began her professional journey at the age of 15, playing for Gustafs GoIF in Norrettan during the 2011 season. Her performance, scoring 14 goals and providing four assists in 20 games, attracted attention from top clubs LdB FC Malmö and Umeå IK. Choosing Umeå IK after a brief training stint, she continued her development there.
Following Umeå’s relegation in 2016, Hurtig moved to league champions Linköpings FC on a two-year contract. Her career then took her to Juventus in August 2020, before she joined Arsenal on a permanent transfer in August 2022.
Internationally, Hurtig has been a key player for Sweden.
She was part of the under-19 team that won the European Championship in 2012, defeating Spain in the final. Called up to the senior squad by national coach Pia Sundhage in December 2012, Hurtig made her senior debut in a friendly draw against Brazil in 2013.
Although she was not selected for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2013, Sundhage recognised her potential, describing her as a potentially world-class player.
Hurtig earned her first senior cap in 2014 in a draw against Canada and was a part of the Swedish squad at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, scoring in a victory against Thailand. She also represented Sweden at the 2020 Summer Olympics and was selected for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Notably, Hurtig played a pivotal role in Sweden’s victory against the United States in the Round of 16, successfully converting a penalty in the shootout.