Lionesses handed injury scare as Leah Williamson limps out of Arsenal’s clash with Manchester United
Lionesses fear injury as Leah Williamson limps out of Arsenal’s Manchester United clash as England captain’s World Cup captain’s place is questioned
- Leah Williamson’s World Cup campaign has been called into question after an injury
- The England captain stumbled off the field during the game between Arsenal and Man United
- The 2023 World Cup will take place at the end of July, leaving little time to recover
Leah Williamson hopes her World Cup place is not in jeopardy after stumbling out of Arsenal’s Women’s Super League game against Manchester United with an injury.
The England captain collapsed in pain in Leigh Sports Village in the 12th minute, seemingly sticking her studs into the ground and appearing to damage her knee.
She immediately signaled to the bench for treatment and was eventually helped off the field as she disappeared through the tunnel.
The extent of the defender’s injury has not yet been confirmed, but according to BBC Sport, Williamson left the stadium on crutches after the incident.
It could be a crucial blow to Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses as the Women’s World Cup takes place in 94 days.
Leah Williamson came with a limp from the game between Arsenal and Manchester United on Wednesday evening
The England captain lay in a heap on the ground after grabbing her studs into the ground
She quickly indicated that she needed to be changed and was helped through the tunnel after just 12 minutes
Williamson’s compatriot, but opposition on the night, put United ahead on the stroke of half-time – after the Arsenal defender had already been removed.
If Williamson were banned from the tournament, she wouldn’t be the only Gunners star missing from the Lionesses’ team.
Arsenal’s Beth Mead is also in a race against time to get fit after suffering an ACL injury in November and Wiegman has admitted she needs a ‘miracle’ to get fit.
It came as the final blow to the Lionesses, who lost 2-0 to Australia on Tuesday night in their Brentford friendly, the first defeat since Wiegman took charge in September 2021.
Wiegman had wanted more encounters against top leagues ahead of this summer’s World Cup and with the number 10 in the world, Australia, she got more than some thought she had bargained for.
“I haven’t been focused [on the unbeaten streak] not at all,’ said Wiegman. “We just want to win every next game, and yes, you remind us of that [it] all the time, but we don’t talk about that in our camp.
“We talk about the next game, and that we want to improve every game, try to adapt to the opponent in front of us and try to bring our qualities to the field.”
Wiegman will now turn her attention to finalizing the squad that will travel to Australia for the World Cup, with England kicking off their campaign against Haiti in Brisbane on July 22.
Sarina Wiegman could take a huge blow in the run-up to the World Cup that starts in July
