England captain Leah Williamson made the Arsenal starting XI for the first time in 10 months on Sunday, marking her full return from an ACL injury.
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Williamson makes full returnArsenal facing West HamCan move level with leaders ChelseaWHAT HAPPENED?
Williamson ruptured her ACL in April last year, a setback which cruelly denied her the chance to captain the Lionesses at last summer's Women's World Cup. The 26-year-old has been on a long road to recovery since and, after making her return to the pitch against Reading at the end of last month, she returned to the starting line-up on Sunday for the first time as Arsenal took on West Ham.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Williamson's return is a huge boost for an Arsenal team chasing down Chelsea in the title race, with them three points behind the Blues in the table. She also comes back into fold just as the cup competitions are heating up, too. The Gunners will play London City Lionesses in the Continental Cup on Wednesday before taking on Manchester City in the FA Cup fifth round next weekend.
DID YOU KNOW?
Williamson is already the third Arsenal player to have returned from an ACL injury this season, after Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema both did so in October.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR WILLIAMSON?
Williamson could well follow up her full Arsenal return with an England return this month, with Sarina Wiegman to name her squad for the Lionesses' February friendlies in the next couple of weeks.