Arsenal defender Leah Williamson will start for England against the Republic of Ireland for Tuesday night's Euro 2025 qualifier, England boss Sarina Wiegman confirmed on Monday.
Williamson has not featured for the Lionesses since rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament last year with the Gunners, forcing her to miss the historic Women’s World Cup campaign in the process.
Despite some fitness concerns in the lead-up to Friday night’s difficult qualifying draw with Sweden on Friday, the 27-year-old was available to feature, Wiegman said after the match.
And Wiegman confirmed ahead of Tuesday’s contest that Williamson will be in the starting XI against the Republic of Ireland. The Gunner is also set to wear the captain’s armband.
"I have enjoyed being a part of the journey in a different way. It has been a difficult journey,” Williamson said on being forced to the sidelines through injury and having to fight for her spot on returning to fitness.
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"Being in a team this good I felt it was the next stage in my recovery and journey back to playing again. I love being around the team, the processes. The level in this team is so high and the way that, especially in my unit, the versatility is so good for England. Coming back in, I know there is pressure to reach a certain level."
The Lionesses have struggled defensively without Williamson. Where England were watertight defensively in their triumphant Euro 2022 campaign (Wiegman’s side managed four clean sheets across six matches), the Lionesses are currently enduring a run of 12 matches with just two clean sheets recorded against Scotland and Belgium in the Nations League. Goals have been conceded against Colombia, Australia, Spain, Scotland, Italy and as of Friday, Sweden.
England have had to learn to defend without Williamson and fellow inveterate defender in Millie Bright, both out with injury. Alex Greenwood and young Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy became the preferred centre-back pairing for Wiegman.
England were forced to settle for a draw with Sweden to begin their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)But Williamson’s return could represent a critical return to defensive solidity, a much-needed boost as the Lionesses bid to ignite their qualifying campaign in a difficult group which features three top six FIFA-ranked sides.
Williamson’s England and Arsenal teammate Alessia Russo bemoaned the team’s dip in standards after the Sweden draw. Asked about the comments, Wiegman was diplomatic: "I think at some moments it was caused by Sweden and then it becomes about our decision making. Being tighter on the ball is what we want to do better."
While the Republic of Ireland are not among the top-three ranked countries in England’s group, Williamson maintained that Eileen Gleeson’s side, who battled hard against European behemoths France, will pose a serious challenge.
“They had a 1-0 result against France, I think it is going to be a test for us,” Williamson said. “They have key players up top but also a strong defensive line as well."
Asked if she has spoken to any Arsenal teammates who play for the Irish, including captain Katie McCabe, Williamson added: "There has been no contact. There is no communication this week."
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