Leah williamson

Leah Williamson says she wants to be like a ‘new signing’ for Arsenal when she returns from her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

The England captain ruptured her ACL against Manchester United in April, forcing her to miss this summer’s Women’s World Cup.

Talking to Sky Sports’ Three Players and a Podcast , Williamson reflected on how she can contribute to the team on her much-anticipated return. “I do joke about it, because now I’m like I’m looking forward to being a new signing,” she said.

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“When I come back, I have a responsibility to add to my team. [I think] ‘how do I come back? How do I add to them?’.

“I joked today about taking pictures and stuff, I don’t need a picture in the kit, take it in January when I’m back, when I’m coming back to offer something.

“Everyone came back from the World Cup, and it’s quite nice to have people around. I do prefer it being quieter in the gym, but then everyone left again, and it’s probably the first time I’ve really missed football. I’m trying not to be negative.”

Team-mate Jen Beattie also discussed the “incredible” support system Williamson has provided from the sidelines, not least during occasions that were particularly tense, like Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg in May.

“Whoever was on the pitch always felt so backed by the people who were injured, or not able to be a part of those games, because they were big games,” said Beattie.

“The best thing about these guys is they understood the individual, whoever needed a little chat, or a confidence boost or a bit of information. Leah will find it hard saying that about herself so that’s why I can say it, like incredible.

“You see the sort of leader that Leah’s become since captaining the Lionesses, and some of the things that she will say in a meeting, I’ll sit there and say, ‘she’s won the Euros, she knows what it’s like to achieve at the highest level’.”

Forward Beth Mead also suffered an ACL injury last November, but looks set to be in contention for Arsenal’s WSL kick off, as they take on Liverpool on opening weekend.

“I normally don’t enjoy pre-season,” said Mead. “But to have team-mates and people come back again, it’s been quite nice for me to get going and play football.

“It’s been a long time, I’ve been running around with mannequins and coaches for quite a while now – not my favourite thing.

“The likes of Jen (Beattie) and Kim (Little) have been amazing for me and my progress. They’ve actually pushed me and kept me sane for the time when everybody else has been away.”

Owning to various international commitments, including the World Cup and Nations League, Beattie says it’s been a particularly fragmented build-up the new WSL campaign. “It’s definitely been the most disjointed pre-season,” she continued, “in terms of the amount of time we’ve had to get everyone on the same page.

“I couldn’t believe it, we’re playing competitive games two weeks after the World Cup final, like it was mad. Hopefully now that we’ve got everyone in we can get into a flow.

“It feels scary already, the quality we’ve got, and we’ve still not got Viv (Miedema), Leah, Laura (Wienroither) – big players for us not even back on the training pitch yet.”

How to follow the WSL on Sky Sports

Follow all the latest from the Women’s Super League across SkySports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage and in-game clips from games live on Sky Sports.

You can also watch free match highlights from every WSL game this season on Sky Sports’ digital platforms and YouTube channel, while all matches will continue to be shown on both Sky Sports Football, as well as on Sky Showcase, available in all Sky homes, even without a Sky Sports package, giving the competition greater visibility.

Alongside coverage and visibility for the league across all Sky Sports’ main social media channels, the bespoke Twitter channel @SkySportsWSL will continue to be the home of all Barclays FA WSL content on Sky Sports.

The Sky Sports WSL TikTok account gives fans 360° coverage of the league and granting them exclusive access to their new favourite players. Through fun challenges and interviews, along with behind-the-scenes footage, viewers will get to know the WSL’s array of personalities and see the sport from a new set of angles.

Meanwhile, fans can also keep up to date with everything on and off the pitch with the return of Three Players and a Podcast, hosted by Caroline Barker.

Jonas Eidevall is tipping star signing Alessia Russo to make a big impact in the WSL this season.

The England striker joined from rivals Manchester United this summer, with Arsenal seeing off a host of clubs across Europe and the USA.

“I’m obviously delighted to get a top talent like Alessia into the club,” Eidevall exclusively told Sky Sports.

“I see her as a complete forward, she can do all the things you want a No 9 to do. One thing that strikes me after working with her is she has amazing finishing quality.

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“It strengthens my belief that she’s someone we can develop into a player that scores a lot of goals in the league. Over time I’m confident that will happen.”

Arsenal’s title challenge last season was derailed by ACL injuries to some of their best players.

Beth Mead, however, is in contention to play against Liverpool on the opening day of the season, October 1. Vivianne Miedema could be back by the end of October and Leah Williamson is expected to return in the New Year.

“When players are coming back the first feeling is excitement, you’re happy for them,” Eidevall smiles.

“They’ve worked incredibly hard during their rehab and they’re ready to reintegrate into the team.

“The easy thing is to have an expectation the player will return to exactly the same level as she had before her injury. That’s very seldom in reality.

“We need individual approaches to the players and how we help them get back to that level.

“I’m prepared to work hard as well to help them, possibly, get to an even higher level.”

Mead – top scorer at last year’s Euros – was in the form of her career before her ACL injury in November.

She was an unused substitute for Arsenal’s two Champions League qualifiers earlier this month, and Eidevall admits he has to be careful with the England forward.

“I don’t want to be overly cautious but the Champions League qualifiers was the first time she attended full team training.

“You obviously need more than one training session before you play match minutes. Given that and given she hasn’t had any setbacks since then, she’s getting closer and closer.”

Arsenal are aiming to end Chelsea’s four-year WSL title-winning streak and have strengthened heavily during the off-season.

Laia Codina, who won the World Cup with Spain, Amanda Ilestedt – fresh from the earning World Cup Best XI honours with Sweden – and Canada forward Chloe Lacasse have all joined in addition to Russo.

The club also broke its transfer record to bring in highly-rated Australia midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross on Deadline Day. The 21-year old is a player Eidevall is extremely excited to coach.

“It was the perfect match. We felt she was right for the club and she felt Arsenal was the right fit for her,” he said.

“There are things, of course, she can learn from Kim [Little] and Wally [Lia Walti]. But there are also things Kyra does that others can learn from. The way she passes the ball is at an extraordinarily high level.

“Yes, we want them to learn but we also want existing players to learn. I feel she does that and that’s the balance we strive for.”

Eidevall is entering his third season at Arsenal and the pressure is on to deliver, especially as there won’t be Champions League football this year.

But the Swedish coach insists he’s more optimistic than he’s ever been.

“I feel excitement around Arsenal,” he concluded. “I feel excitement about new signings. I feel excitement about injured players returning to the pitch, I feel excitement about players extending contracts.

“We have a real momentum going forward as a club and we need to capitalise on that momentum. We need our performances to give people hope and to believe.”

How to follow the WSL on Sky Sports

Follow all the latest from the Women’s Super League across SkySports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage and in-game clips from games live on Sky Sports.

You can also watch free match highlights from every WSL game this season on Sky Sports’ digital platforms and YouTube channel, while all matches will continue to be shown on both Sky Sports Football, as well as on Sky Showcase, available in all Sky homes, even without a Sky Sports package, giving the competition greater visibility.

Alongside coverage and visibility for the league across all Sky Sports’ main social media channels, the bespoke Twitter channel @SkySportsWSL will continue to be the home of all Barclays FA WSL content on Sky Sports.

The Sky Sports WSL TikTok account gives fans 360° coverage of the league and granting them exclusive access to their new favourite players. Through fun challenges and interviews, along with behind-the-scenes footage, viewers will get to know the WSL’s array of personalities and see the sport from a new set of angles.

Meanwhile, fans can also keep up to date with everything on and off the pitch with the return of Three Players and a Podcast, hosted by Caroline Barker.

FOOTBALL fans across the world are thrilled to see the WSL finally return – and Arsenal host Liverpool on a frantic first day.

The Gunners will be determined to put a stop to Chelsea ‘s incredible run after seeing the Blues lift the title for a third consecutive year last season.

It also meant that it has been four years since the most decorated women’s team in English secured league success.

However, Arsenal put a slight blip in Chelsea’s 2022/23 season by coming from behind to win the FA WSL Cup.

And they’ll be hoping for the same result against a Liverpool side who they have beaten 13 times in a row.

When is Arsenal vs Liverpool?

• Arsenal’s opening WSL encounter against Liverpool will take place on Sunday, October 1.
• It is scheduled to get underway at 2pm BST.
• Emirates Stadium is the allocated arena for this huge match and it can host approximately 60,000 roaring fans.
• Goals from Stina Blackstenius and Caitlin Foord saw the Gunners beat Liverpool 2-0 when the sides last met in March.

What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

• Arsenal vs Liverpool will be broadcast LIVE on The FA Player.
• Fans can stream the action via The FA Player app or the official website.
• Alternatively, follow SunSport’s live blog for the entire game including pre-match and post-match reaction.

Can I watch it for FREE?

Yes!

The FA Player is a free service.

What is the team news?

Jonas Eidevall will be forced to start the season without Laura Wienroither, Leah Williamson and Henry Timi Davies who are all nursing ACL injuries.

Lotte Wubben-Moy (muscular) and Mika Biereth (knee) are also expected to miss the opener against Liverpool.

And the Gunners boss has recently been hit with more bad news that Teyah Goldie is out for the entire season with an ACL issue.

However, Dutch superstar Vivianne Miedema is in line for her first start since December 15, 2022.

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Matt Beard has revealed that captain Niamh Farley (calf) and Mia Enderby (shoulder) will both undergo scans ahead of this epic match.

The Reds gaffer also confirmed that they are awaiting fitness updates for forwards Leanne Kierman, Shanice van de Sanden and Melissa Lawley.