Arsenal Women’s star striker Caitlin Foord has picked up a worrying hamstring injury while playing for the Australian national team, potentially jeopardising her participation in the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Arsenal forward Caitlin Foord has suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty with the Australian women’s national team. The incident occurred during a friendly match against China in Adelaide on 31 May, where Foord was substituted just after the hour mark.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson expressed concern over the injury, stating, “I’m a bit concerned. It’s easy to say after something like that happens – should I really have used her Foord or should I have let her rest? We don’t know how serious it is, but she said she felt something.”

Foord‘s absence in the upcoming rematch against China on 3 June in Sydney confirms the seriousness of the situation. As a key player for both Arsenal and the Matildas, her fitness is crucial for the team’s success in the upcoming Paris Olympics.

This injury has also reignited the debate over player management and rest ahead of major tournaments, with some questioning Gustavsson‘s decision to field Foord in a friendly match so close to the Olympics.

The extent of the injury and its impact on Foord‘s availability for the Olympics remains unclear. The Matildas will announce their Olympic squad on 4 June, and the severity of Foord‘s injury will undoubtedly be a significant factor in their decision.