Williamson, the captain of England's WSL team, will be sidelined at the beginning of the season due to a knee injury.
Arsenal Women Face Challenging Start to 2025-26 WSL Season
Arsenal Women will kick off their 2025-26 WSL campaign with a tough fixture against newly-promoted London City Lionesses on September 6. However, the team will be without their captain, Leah Williamson, who is sidelined due to a knee injury sustained in the Euro 2025 final.
Williamson, who led her team to back-to-back triumphs at the European Championships in 2024, has been a crucial player for Arsenal. She missed Arsenal's pre-season training camp in Germany this month due to swelling in her right knee. This injury will keep her out for the entire WSL season.
In Williamson's absence, Lia Wälti is expected to take over the captaincy role. Wälti, a reliable and experienced player, recently signed a new contract with the club. Arsenal manager Maartje Slegers is also expected to rely heavily on Lotte Wubben-Moy, who has shown great promise in recent matches.
Last season, Arsenal finished second in the WSL, 12 points behind champions Chelsea. Williamson made 19 appearances for Arsenal in the WSL last season, keeping seven clean sheets, a total only bettered by Steph Catley (seven) for the Gunners.
Following their opening fixture against London City Lionesses, Arsenal will face West Ham United, Manchester United, and Aston Villa later in the month. These matches will be crucial for the team as they aim to secure a spot at the top of the WSL table.
Despite Williamson's absence, Arsenal fans remain optimistic. In 2022, Williamson guided the Lionesses to the European Championships, and the team has shown resilience in the past without their captain. With a strong squad and a determined spirit, Arsenal will undoubtedly give their all in the upcoming season.
Williamson's injury is a setback, but it's not the end of the road for Arsenal Women. The team will rally together and fight for every point in the 2025-26 WSL campaign.
