Arsenal’s defence struggles without injured Leah Williamson as they lose to Spurs in pre-season friendly | OneFootball

Arsenal struggled defensively without the injured Leah Williamson as Tottenham beat their north London rivals 4-3 at Meadow Park in a pre-season friendly.

Victoria Pelova opened the scoring for the Gunners by firing hard and low past Lize Kop before Bethany England’s equaliser, when Arsenal were caught playing out from the back, leading to the ball finding England whose strike was too powerful for Arsenal keeper Anneke Borbe.

But Arsenal went ahead again when Alessia Russo’s cross was turned into the Spurs net by Charli Grant for an own goal.

After England equalised again from the penalty spot, Matilda Vinberg made it 3-2 to Spurs. Another Arsenal mix up at the back led to Drew Spence winning the ball back in Arsenal’s own half off Lotte Wubben-Moy, who played Vinberg in to smash home.

Caitlin Foord made it 3-3 but Eveliina Summanen’s sublime free-kick won it for Spurs, securing a thrilling victory as preparations for the new WSL season began.

Arsenal were without the injured Williamson, who is set to miss the beginning of the WSL season with a knee injury she suffered during England’s Euro 2025 final win against Spain.

The injured centre-half was key to Arsenal winning their second ever UEFA Women’s Champions League title, putting in an incredible performance against Barcelona, and captained England to Euros glory in Switzerland this summer.

Lotte Wubben Moy and Steph Catley started at centre-half in Williamson’s absence and found it difficult to contain a Spurs attack that only managed 26 goals in the Women’s Super League last season.