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 tore her cruciate ligament against Manchester United in April, forcing her to miss the Women’s World Cup this summer.
Talk to Sky Sports’ Three players and a podcast, Williamson reflected on how she can contribute to the team during her long-awaited return. “I kind of joke about it because now I’m looking forward to being a new addition,” she said.
“When I come back, I have a responsibility to add something to my team. (I think) ‘How do I come back? How can I add something to them?’
“I was joking today about taking pictures and stuff. I don’t need a picture in the kit, take it in January when I get back, when I come back to offer something.
“Everyone came back from the World Cup, and it’s really nice to have people around you. I prefer it to be quieter in the gym, but then everyone left again, and it’s probably the first time I’ve seen football really missed it. I’m trying not to be negative.”
Teammate Jen Beattie also discussed the “incredible” support system that Williamson has provided from the sidelines, not least on occasions that have been particularly tense, such as Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg in May.
“Whoever was on the field always felt so supported by the people who were injured or unable to participate in those games because they were big games,” Beattie said.
“The best thing about these guys is that they understood the person, whoever needed a chat, a confidence boost or a bit of information. Leah will have a hard time saying that about herself, so that’s why I can say it, incredible.
“You see the kind of leader Leah has become since she was captain of the Lionesses, and some of the things she will say in a meeting, I will sit there and say, ‘She won the European Championship, she knows what it’s like to achieve at the highest level.”
Striker Beth Mead also suffered a cruciate ligament injury last November but looks to be in contention for Arsenal’s WSL kick-off when they take on Liverpool on the opening weekend.
“I don’t normally enjoy preseason,” Mead said. “But seeing teammates and people coming back, it was really nice for me to get going and play football.
“It’s been a long time, I’ve been walking around with mannequins and coaches for a while – not my favorite thing to do.
“People like Jen (Beattie) and Kim (Little) have been great for me and my progress. They really pushed me and kept me sane for the time everyone else was away.”
Beattie is reliant on several international commitments, including the World Cup and Nations League, and says the new WSL campaign has been a particularly fragmented build. “It was definitely the most disjointed pre-season,” she continued, “considering the amount of time we had to get everyone on the same page.
“I couldn’t believe it, we’re playing competitive matches two weeks after the World Cup final, like it was crazy. Hopefully now that we have everyone there we can get into a flow.
“It already feels scary, the quality we have, and we still don’t have Viv (Miedema), Leah, Laura (Wienroither) – big players for us who are not even back on the training field yet.”
How to watch the WSL on Sky Sports
Follow the latest news from the Women’s Super League on SkySports.com and in the app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus special live blog coverage and in-game clips from live games 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 seen on both Sky Sports Football and Sky Showcase, available in all Sky homes. even without a Sky Sports package, giving the competition more visibility.
In addition to coverage and visibility for the competition across all of Sky Sports’ main social media channels, the bespoke Twitter channel @SkySportsWSL remains the home of all Barclays FA WSL content on Sky Sports.
The Sky Sports WSL TikTok account gives fans 360° coverage of the competition and exclusive access to their new favorite players. Through fun challenges and interviews, along with behind-the-scenes footage, viewers will get to know the many personalities of the WSL and see the sport from a new range 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.