Slegers confirms Arsenal absences for Chelsea Champions League clash | OneFootball

Arsenal Women head coach Renee Slegers has confirmed that Leah Williamson, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross will not be available for the Champions League game against Chelsea.

Williamson is still recovering from another injury setback, while Catley, Foord and Cooney-Cross have all just returned from the Asian Cup, having faced Japan on Saturday in the final with Australia.

“Leah Williamson is not going to make it for tomorrow,” Slegers said. “She’s progressing well but it’s too early.

“It’s not a big issue but we have to be smart and find the right moment when her body is fully ready to have her playing again for us.”

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On the Australian trio, she added: “They landed early this morning. They’re staying at home today and will then be in for a short session, gym work tomorrow, but they won’t be available to play.”

Olivia Smith was also not involved in training ahead of the quarter-final first-leg clash at the Emirates Stadium but Slegers is hopeful she could still feature.

“Otherwise, there’s lot of individual management with the short turnaround,” she explained.

“You didn’t see Olivia on the pitch, but everyone is on their individual programmes.”

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