05 October 2023 , 04:30
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Lioness Leah Williamson says she is "more focused than ever" on making a successful playing return with England and Arsenal after her injury nightmare.
Williamson, 26, had the agony of missing out on the Euro holders' historic World Cup campaign after rupturing her ACL while playing for Arsenal towards the back end of last season. The England captain, who had previously led her national team to glory at Euro 2022, isn't expected to return to action until the New Year.
But Williamson did give a positive update when speaking after she was made at OBE at Windsor Castle, with Prince William presenting her with the prestigious title. The Arsenal defender is building her fitness towards a return and is now targeting a comeback.
“I’ve made some good steps," she said. "I’m running again now (at Arsenal). We are in a great place.
"Days like today I can celebrate them properly with my family but I am more focused than ever to be back on the pitch. I could be like a new signing."
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Williamson was forced to miss the World Cup run to the final with fellow ACL injury victim Beth Mead. And after Arsenal's stuttering start to the season, Jonas Eidevall will be desperate for the duo along with Viv Miedema - sidelined by a similar injury - to return to action.
The Gunners have already exited the Champions League at the qualifying stage, before a shock 1-0 loss to Liverpool on the opening day of the WSL season. Preparation has been an issue for Arsenal, who had a number of players who went deep into the World Cup, with the final taking place only six weeks before the new domestic season.
Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy for example, featured in the Gunners' dramatic Champions League penalty shootout exit, after extra-time, less than 20 days after the World Cup final in Sydney. And Williamson believes the schedule could leave players running the risk of sustaining further serious injuries in the future.
She added: "I think everybody wants to protect their bit of the game. But ultimately something has to give in the end and I had team-mates this year that after a World Cup final had five days off.
"It’s not acceptable. It’s not favourable to the players, and ultimately, we’re the only ones that lose out. It’s our bodies on the line."