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Leah Williamson had a beaming smile on her face last night as she returned to action during Arsenal\u2019s 6-0 hammering of Reading in the Conti Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The England skipper, 26, was heartbroken last April when an anterior cruciate ligament injury cut her season short and crushed her dream of leading Sarina Wiegman\u2019s side at the Women\u2019s World Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But after nine months out, she made her first appearance of the 2023-24 campaign as a second-half sub to help the Gunners progress to the quarter-finals as Group D winners.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Speaking to\u00a0Arsenal\u2019s official website, she said: \u201cIt was the perfect scenario. I\u2019ve worked hard. I\u2019ve kept my head down for a moment like today.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI sat on the bench with my team-mates, who couldn\u2019t have been more supportive, and then returned to the pitch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe girls gave me a good reception and so did the fans. It was lovely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall added: \u201cShe works incredibly hard. I don\u2019t think anyone who hasn\u2019t had an ACL injury can understand all the work that goes in behind that to be able to return.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really happy for her and really happy for the team to get such a great player back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Centre-back Williamson replaced Jen Beattie just after the hour mark at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And with 10 minutes remaining, her fine ball over the top was volleyed home by Beth Mead for Arsenal\u2019s fifth goal of the night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Speaking to Sky Sports, Williamson said: \u201cIt\u2019s been a long journey but it\u2019s gone really quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe girls I\u2019ve had around me \u2014 it\u2019s special. Special people get you through tough times.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI love playing for Arsenal. I\u2019m happy to be back and [will] try to help my team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caitlin Foord opened the scoring for the holders before a Stina Blackstenius double put Eidevall\u2019s side in firm control.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Laia Codina added a fourth on 51 minutes and Blackstenius completed her hat-trick after Mead had fired home.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Arsenal and the other four group winners will be joined in the last eight by the best two runners-up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chelsea are also set to enter the fray having missed the group stage due to their participation in the Champions League.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\ud83d\udcac \u201cYou were there from the start for me, so I\u2019m glad that I got to share this moment with you.\u201d \u2764\ufe0f<\/p>\n
An emotional return for Leah. An immense achievement for Kim. And a connection from the very beginning \u2728<\/p>\n
Watch the full interview here \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n
\u2014 Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) January 25, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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