England captain Leah Williamson will miss the start of the Women’s Super League season after picking up a knee injury in the Euro 2025 final.
The 28-year-old Arsenal defender returned to her club with swelling in her right knee and did not travel with the team for their pre-season camp in Germany. After a medical check, she underwent a minor clean-up operation. The procedure went well, and she has already begun her recovery, but she is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
Arsenal, who lifted the Champions League last season, will kick off their WSL campaign on 6 September against London City Lionesses without their skipper.
This isn’t the first setback for Williamson’s knee. She suffered an ACL injury in April 2023 against Manchester United and needed almost 10 months to recover. Sadly, it ruled her out of the Women’s World Cup, just a year after she helped England win their first European crown.
Fortunately, this latest injury is not linked to her ACL issue, and Arsenal fans will be relieved to hear it’s a shorter-term problem. Williamson recently played the full 120 minutes of the Euro 2025 final, helping England defeat Spain on penalties after a 1-1 draw in extra time.
She isn’t the only England star set to miss the league’s opening games. Chelsea forward Lauren James, who also shone at the Euros, is recovering from an ankle injury and will be out for the start of the season.
Arsenal will now have to adapt without their leader as they begin another title push, while England supporters will be hoping Williamson’s return comes sooner rather than later.
